snaffle

UK: /ˈsnæf^əl/ US: (snaf′əl)

Inflections of 'snaffle' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

snaffles

v 3rd person singular

snaffling

v pres p

snaffled

v past

snaffled

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

snaf•fle¹  (snaf′əl), n., v., -fled, -fling. 
n. 

1. Also called snaf′fle bit′. a bit, usually jointed in the middle and without a curb, with a large ring at each end to which a rein and cheek strap are attached.

v.t. 

2. to put a snaffle on (a horse).
3. to control with or as with a snaffle.

• 1525–35; origin, originally uncertain; compare Old Frisian snavel mouth, Dutch snavel, German Schnabel beak, bill

snaf•fle²  (snaf′əl), v.t., -fled, -fling. [Brit. Informal.]

1. British Terms to appropriate for one's own use, esp. by devious means;
   purloin;
   filch.

• origin, originally uncertain 1715–25

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

snaffle / ˈsnæf^əl/ noun

1. Also called: snaffle bit a simple jointed bit for a horse

verb (transitive)

1. to steal or take for oneself
2. to equip or control with a snaffle

Etymology: 16th Century: of uncertain origin; compare Old Frisian snavel mouth, Old High German snabul beak