1. trans. To bite lightly, to nibble.
1668. R. L’Estrange, Vis. Quev. (1708), 134. After this Manner, these Asses Knab and Curry one another. Ibid. (1694), Fables, 11. I had much rather lie Knabbing of Crusts, without either Fear or Danger, in my Own Little Hole.
1879. Miss Jackson, Shropsh. Word-bk., Knab, to bite gently and playfully. Horses knab each other when in good temper.
1887. S. Chesh. Gloss., Knab, to bite, of a horse…. ‘I rāther think hey knabs a bit.’
2. intr. To bite, nibble. Const. on, upon.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Dogge of War, Wks. II. 227/2. He seru’d his Master … In Holland, Zealand, Brabant … And if his fare were but a Crust, Hee patiently would knab on’t.
1692. R. L’Estrange, Fables, cccxvii. 277. An Ass was Wishing … for … a Mouthful of Fresh Grass to Knab upon.
Knab: see NAB sb. and v.
