suckle

[ suhk-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, suck·led, suck·ling.

1. to nurse at the breast or udder.
2. to nourish or bring up.
3. to put to suck.

verb (used without object)

, suck·led, suck·ling.

1. to suck at the breast or udder.

suckle

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈsuckler, noun

Other Words From

• un·suckled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suckle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of suckle¹

C15: probably back formation from suckling

Example Sentences

Things might have seemed fine at first, the baby crying, suckling, being passed around the group for love and comfort, but soon it would have been clear that the baby’s health was declining.

From Nautilus

Some simply have a fold of skin that protects their young while they suckle.

From Science News For Students

It is Ma who suggests to Rose of Sharon that she suckle a starving man.

From The Daily Beast

When they suckle their young, they take them in their paws, and present the breast to them like a woman.

From Project Gutenberg

Men cannot give birth to a child, nor can they suckle a child; they can only procreate children, or become fathers.

From Project Gutenberg

Man belongs to the highest class of vertebrates, the Mammals, which produce living young and suckle them.

From Project Gutenberg

He cautiously pulled back a branch of the honey-suckle, and looked through.

From Project Gutenberg

In consumption, all efforts to suckle are frequently equally fatal to the mother and child.

From Project Gutenberg