Snarling

snarl ¹  (snärl)

v. snarled, snarl·ing, snarls

v.intr.

1. To growl viciously while baring the teeth.

2. To speak angrily or threateningly.

v.tr.

To utter with anger or hostility: snarled a retort.

n.

1. A vicious growl.

2. A vicious, hostile utterance.

---

[Frequentative of obsolete snar, perhaps from Dutch or Low German snarren, to rattle, probably of imitative origin.]

---

snarler n.

snarling·ly adv.

snarly adj.

---

snarl ²  (snärl)

n.

1. A tangled mass, as of hair or yarn.

2. A confused, complicated, or tangled situation; a predicament.

v. snarled, snarl·ing, snarls

v.intr.

To become tangled or confused.

v.tr.

1. To tangle or knot (hair, for example).

2. To confuse; complicate.

---

[Middle English snarle, trap, probably diminutive of snare; see snare¹.]

---

snarler n.

snarly adj.