Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “snitch” come from?

I notice the headword is "snitch" but the chain provided traces "snatch." These appear to be different words. Could you clarify whether: 1. The chain should be for "snatch" (not "snitch"), or 2. A different etymological chain should be used for "snitch"? Once clarified, I can write the one-sentence origin summary following your rules.

snitch (English): To inform on, especially in betrayal of others;...

Definitions

  1. To inform on, especially in betrayal of others;...

Ancestry of “snitch”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsnatchTo grasp and remove quickly; To attempt to seize...
2Middle Englishsnacchen—
3Old Englishsnæċċan—
4Proto-Germanicsnakkijaną—

Words derived from “snitch”

  • snitchy
  • nonsnitch
  • antisnitch
Every word from Proto-Germanic snakkijaną →