snatch (v.)
early 13c., snacchen, of a dog, "make a sudden snap or bite" (at something), a word of uncertain origin; perhaps from an unrecorded Old English *snæccan or Middle Dutch snacken "to snatch, chatter." Compare snack (n.). The meaning "lay hold of suddenly, seize or take eagerly" is from early 14c.; especially "take from someone's hands" (1580s). Related: Snatched; snatching.
snatch (n.)
c. 1300, snacche, "a trap, snare," a sense now obsolete, from snatch (v.). From c. 1400 as "a bite." The meaning "a sudden grab" is from 1570s, also "a short fit of vigorous action;" hence the sense in weight-lifting (1928). The sense of "a short space of time" is from 1560s; that of "a small amount" is from 1590s.
The vulgar slang sense of "vulva" is recorded by 1903, perhaps 1864; a much older venereal sense was "sexual intercourse quickly performed" (1580s).
Trends of snatch
updated on February 02, 2023
