snack

Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch snacken (“to snack”).

noun

1. A light meal.
2. An item of food eaten between meals.
   The numbers thin out the further we get from London, so I don't feel guilty when I remove my mask momentarily to scoff some of the snacks I'd bought at Marylebone. December 2 2020, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 68
3. (slang) A very sexy and attractive person.
   Up close, he was a total snack. “That was pretty slick.” “Well.” He cocked his head, “I'm a pretty slick guy.” “I'm Kevin,” I said. “Romeo,” he put out his hand. “You're kidding.” 2008, Scott Sherman, First You Fall: A Kevin Connor Mystery, Alyson Publications
   You were looking like a snack. I was looking like a snack. We were finally going to do what two snacks do... I immediately went into my routine. Covers on. Lights off. But you Mr. Tate...you softly grabbed my hand, kissed it, and turned the lights back on. 2019, Loy A. Webb, The Light, Concord Theatricals, page 22
   Her confusion amped up. But so did her attraction. He was a total snack. 2020, Gena Showalter, Prince of Stone, HQN Books

verb

1. To eat a light meal.
   Insult is added to injury when I see the West Coast Railways dining train at the adjacent platform, where guests are sat snacking and drinking wine at a very sociable distance. December 2 2020, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 66
2. To eat between meals.
   Coordinate term: graze

Etymology 2

See snatch (transitive verb). Ultimately of the same origin as the word under Etymology 1, but perhaps through a different source.

noun

1. (obsolete) A share; a part or portion.
   “Have you exhibited very much?” said Young Person in the bar-parlour of the “Coach and Horses,” where Mr Watkins was skilfully accumulating local information on the night of his arrival. “Very little,” said Mr Watkins, “just a snack here and there.” 1894, H. G. Wells, The Hammerpond Park Burglary

verb

1. (obsolete, transitive) To snatch.
2. (obsolete, transitive) To bite.
3. (obsolete, transitive) To share.