snicker

/ˈsnɪk.ə(ɹ)/

Etymology

US variant of the British snigger, possibly of onomatopoeic origin, similar to Dutch snikken (“to gasp; sob”). The noun is first recorded 1836, from the verb. Compare also Scottish smicker (“to smile or laugh in a sniggering or leery way, smirk”). More at smicker.

noun

  1. A stifled or broken laugh.
  2. A player who snicks the ball.

verb

  1. To emit a snicker, a stifled or broken laugh.“I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker, / And in short, I was afraid.”
  2. To utter through a laugh of this kind.
  3. To whinny.