nuzzle

• POS: Verb (usu participle), Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: nuz=zle

CIDE DICTIONARY

nuzzle, v. t. [See Noursle.].

•  To noursle or nurse; to foster; to bring up.  [1913 Webster]

  "The people had been nuzzled in idolatry."  [1913 Webster]
•  To nestle; to house, as in a nest.  [1913 Webster]

nuzzle, v. i. [Dim. fr. nose. See Nozzle.].

•  To work with the nose, like a swine in the mud.  [1913 Webster]

  "And nuzzling in his flank, the loving swine
  Sheathed, unaware, the tusk in his soft groin."  [1913 Webster]

  "He charged through an army of lawyers, sometimes . . . nuzzling like an eel in the mud."  [1913 Webster]
•  To go with head poised like a swine, with nose down.  [1913 Webster]

  "Sir Roger shook his ears, and nuzzled along."  [1913 Webster]
•  To hide the head, as a child in the mother's bosom; to nestle.  [1913 Webster]
•  To loiter; to idle.  Halliwell.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

nuzzle, v.
1 tr. prod or rub gently with the nose.
2 intr. (foll. by into, against, up to) press the nose gently.
3 tr. (also refl.) nestle; lie snug.

Etymology

ME f. NOSE + -LE(4)

THESAURUS

nuzzle

bundle, burrow, caress, croodle, cuddle, feel up, fondle, knead, lap, massage, nestle, nose, pet, rub, rub against, rub noses, snuggle, stroke

ROGET THESAURUS

nuzzle

Endearment

VB caress, fondle, pet, dandle, pat, pat on the head, pat on the cheek, chuck under the chin, smile upon, coax, wheedle, cosset, coddle, cocker, cockle, make of, make much of, cherish, foster, kill with kindness, clasp, hug, cuddle, fold in one's arms, strain in one's arms, nestle, nuzzle, embrace, kiss, buss, smack, blow a kiss, salute, fold to the heart, press to the bosom, bill and coo, spoon, toy, dally, flirt, coquet, gallivant, galavant, philander, make love, pay one's court to, pay one's addresses to, pay one's attentions to, serenade, court, woo, set one's cap at, be sweet upon, look sweet upon, ogle, cast sheep's eyes upon, faire les yeux doux, fall in love with, win the affections, die for, propose, make an offer, have an offer, pop the question, plight one's troth, plight one's faith.