nib

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Nebbed p. pr. & vb. n. Nibbing. ] To furnish with a nib; to point; to mend the point of; as, to nib a pen. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having a nib or point. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To bite upon something gently or cautiously; to eat a little of a thing, as by taking small bits cautiously; as, fishes nibble at the bait. [ 1913 Webster ]

Instead of returning a full answer to my book, he manifestly falls a-nibbling at one single passage. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Nibbled p. pr. & vb. n. Nibbling ] [ Cf. Nip. ] To bite by little at a time; to seize gently with the mouth; to eat slowly or in small bits. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A small or cautious bite. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: (Fig.) An expression of interest, often tentative, as at the beginning of a sale or negotiation process. [ PJC ]

n. One who, or that which, nibbles. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a nibbling manner; cautiously. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ G. See Nibelungs; Lied. ] A great medieval German epic of unknown authorship containing traditions which refer to the Burgundians at the time of Attila (called Etzel in the poem) and mythological elements pointing to heathen times. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]