north. dial. and Sc. Also 8–9 snert. [Imitative: cf. SNURT v.] intr. To laugh in a suppressed manner; to snicker.
1724. Ramsay, in Evergreen (1761), II. 15. Now let hir snirt, and fyk her fill.
1791. J. Learmont, Poems, 2. They gang by ye wi’ sic a huff, An’ pridfu’ caper, snirt, an’ snuff, As gif Death ne’er meant them a cuff.
1829–. in north. dial. glossaries.
1871. Black, Daughter of Heth (1872), 94. The Whaup grew very red in the face and ‘snirted’ with laughter.
