Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1826-1844
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SNAFF, v. Also snaf. To sniff, snort, snuffle, esp. of a dog (Cld. 1880 Jam.); to carp, grouse, to find fault in a surly manner (Ib.). Deriv. ¶snaffer, fig., appar. a canting, cranky person. Cf. Snaffle, n.Sc. 1826 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 238:
Siccan a barkin, and nyaffin, and snaffin, and clankin o' chains frae them in Kennels.Dmf. 1844 Carlyle Life in London (Froude 1884) I. 345–346:
Miserable snaffers full of animal magnetism, Free Kirk and other rubbish.
