snarl
UK: snɑːl | US: snɑːrl
v. (of an animal) to make a low, angry noise while showing the teeth
v. to speak or say something in an angry, harsh tone
n. a tangled or knotted state (e.g., hair, thread)
n. the sound or act of snarling
The word "snarl" originates from Middle English snarren, meaning "to twist or tangle," reflecting both the literal sense of tangled objects (like hair) and the figurative sense of angry, twisted speech or growling. The frequentative suffix "-l" suggests repeated or intensified action, reinforcing the aggressive or tangled connotations. Over time, "snarl" evolved to describe both physical knots and vocal aggression, likely due to the shared imagery of disorder and tension.
The dog began to snarl when the stranger approached.
"Don't you dare lie to me," she snarled.
Her hair was a snarl of knots after the windy walk.
The traffic snarled into gridlock during rush hour.
A snarl of vines blocked the path through the forest.