Nip

n. small quantity of spirits. [from nipperkin small measure]. v. (pp) 1 pinch, squeeze, or bite sharply. 2 (often foil. by off) remove by pinching etc. 3 (of the cold etc.) cause pain or harm to. 4 (foil. by in, out, etc.) colloq. go nimbly or quickly. n. 1 a pinch, sharp squeeze. b bite. 2 biting cold. o nip in the bud suppress or destroy (esp. an idea) at an early stage. [Low German or Dutch]