Definition of snout

The word "snout" originated from the Middle English word "snut," which was derived from the Old English word "snītan." In Old English, "snītan" meant "to push or thrust" and referred to the action of a pig rooting through the soil with its long, pointed nose. Over time, the Old English word evolved to mean "a strong, blunt-nosed projection on the head of an animal," which we now know as a snout. The use of the word "snout" to refer specifically to the upturned, elongated nose of a pig dates back to the 16th century. Today, the word is used more broadly to describe the nasal projection of various animal species, including dogs, bears, and anteaters.