v. dial. Also 9 chamble, chimble. [cf. CHUMP, CHAMP.] To gnaw, nibble, peck.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., I. 94. Hips and haws … That chumbled lie about their hole. Ibid., I. 202. The little chumbling mouse Gnarls the dead leaves for her house.
1879. Shropsh. Word-bk., Dunna put the canary so much sid to chamble an’ flirt about.
1881. Leicestersh. Gloss., s.v., ‘Woon’t ’e chimble a wa’nut?’ ‘The rots ’a bin chimblin’ the hee.’
Mod. Northampton Dial. I saw a rat sitting chimbling rushes by the side of the brook.
