[Imitative.] intr. To snigger or snicker.
1815. Scott, Guy M., lii. As for the Dominie,… he looked at Lucy—he whimpered—he sniggled—he grinned.
1840. C. Brontë, in Mrs. Gaskell, Life (1857), I. 215. [The preacher] did not whine; he did not sniggle.
1889. A. C. Gunter, That Frenchman! vi. At which flattery the other sniggles and calls him a wit.
Hence Sniggling ppl. a.
1826. Scott, Woodst., xii. Wildrake laughed without ceremony,… and was joined by a sniggling response from behind the cupboard.
