sniffle

[snif-uh l] /ˈsnɪf əl/
verb (used without object), sniffled, sniffling.
1.
to sniff repeatedly, as from a head cold or in repressing tears:
She sniffled woefully.
noun
2.
an act or sound of sniffling.
3.
sniffles, a condition, as a cold, marked by sniffling (usually preceded by the):
This draft is giving me the sniffles.
Origin
1625-35; sniff + -le
Related forms
sniffler, noun
Examples from the web for sniffle
  • Every sniffle and every cough is going to be scrutinized, awakening fears of the ominously named swine flu virus.
  • Every sniffle and every cough is going to be scrutinized, awakening fears of the ominously named swine flu virus.
British Dictionary definitions for sniffle

sniffle

/ˈsnɪfəl/
verb
1.
(intransitive) to breathe audibly through the nose, as when the nasal passages are congested
noun
2.
the act, sound, or an instance of sniffling
Derived Forms
sniffler, noun
sniffly, adjective
Word Origin and History for sniffle
v.

1819, frequentative form of sniff (v.). Related: Sniffled; sniffling. The sniffles "runny nose, head cold" is recorded from 1825. Sniffly (1897) tends to refer to physical symptoms, while sniffy (1858) means "scornful, disdainful and disagreeable." Snuffy "annoyed" is from 1670s.