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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Nip(p, Nyp, Nipe, v. [ME. and e.m.E. nyppe (1393), e.m.E. nip(pe, of uncertain origin. (? Cf. also Gnip and Knip.)]

1. tr. To nip, pinch; to catch or grip smartly. Also intr. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2223 (H).
Deith cummis behind and nippis thame be the nek 1535 Stewart 58096.
Quhen that scho [the mouse] feillis hir [the cat] nip Hir bak so soir 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1381 (Ch.).
Quhat gif the padoks nip my tais? a1568 Scott iv. 92.
The moir degest and grave The grydiar to grip it, The nycest to ressave Vpoun the nynnis will nip it a1605 Montg. Flyt. 481 (T).
Thay cowit ther [the] kytrell … And nippit it so done neir that [etc.] 1597 James VI Dæmonol. 33.
[The devil] giues them his marks vpon … their bodie, which remaines … insensible how soueuer it be nipped or pricked by any 1605 Reg. Privy C. VII. 737.
[The said William has often sought to take the life of his father] … niping him in the craig as he had bene ane dog 1661 Soc. Ant. XXII. 247.
The divill … niped her upon one of hir shouldersintr. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 490.
For he that sittis me nixt I nip on his finger

2. transf. To affect with pain as by nipping. In p.p., affected with a disease which smarts or stings. 1533 Boece xv. i. 575.
This venom … eftir lang tyme … gnawand and nyppand the intrellis a1605 Montg. Flyt. 319 (T).
And nippit [v.r. nipd] with the nirrilis