suckle

American  

[suhk-uhl] / ˈsʌk əl /

verb (used with object)

suckled, suckling

1. to nurse at the breast or udder.

2. to nourish or bring up.

3. to put to suck.

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verb (used without object)

suckled, suckling

1. to suck at the breast or udder.

suckle British  

/ ˈsʌkəl /

verb

1. to give (a baby or young animal) milk from the breast or (of a baby, etc) to suck milk from the breast

2. (tr) to bring up; nurture

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Other Word Forms

• suckler
  noun
• unsuckled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of suckle

1375–1425; late Middle English sucklen; see suck, -le

Example Sentences

Mazakpwe cited a range of lactation issues mothers can face, from sore nipples to babies born too sick or too weak to suckle and stimulate milk production.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 1, 2024

Meanwhile, Love Shaiska was struggling to suckle, forcing her parents to pull together cash to buy formula.

From Reuters • Aug. 23, 2021

There was no guarantee that the other mothers would protect Lucy, much less allow her to suckle, as that would mean fewer precious nutrients for their own calves.

From Scientific American • Jul. 20, 2021

Veterinarians listened to the cub’s heart and lungs, tested its suckle reflex and moved all four limbs to test muscular development.

From Washington Times • Sep. 22, 2020

This continued throughout the day whenever he wanted to suckle.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane