Nip \Nip\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nipped, less properly Nipt; p. pr. & vb. n. Nipping.]

[OE. nipen; cf. D. niipen to pinch, also knippen to nip, clip, pinch, snap, knijpen to pinch, LG. knipen, G. kneipen, kneifen, to pinch, cut off, nip, Lith. knebti.]

1. To catch and inclose or compress tightly between two surfaces, or points which are brought together or closed; to pinch; to close in upon.

May this hard earth cleave to the Nadir hell, Down, down, and close again, and nip me flat, If I be such a traitress. --Tennyson.

2. To remove by pinching, biting, or cutting with two meeting edges of anything; to clip.

The small shoots . . . must be nipped off. --Mortimer.

3. Hence: To blast, as by frost; to check the growth or vigor of; to destroy.

4. To vex or pain, as by nipping; hence, to taunt.

And sharp remorse his heart did prick and nip. --Spenser.

To nip in the bud, to cut off at the verycommencement of growth; to kill in the incipient stage.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)