snarl v.1

late 14c., snarlen, "tangle, catch in a snare or noose" (transitive; literal and figurative), from the obsolete noun snarl "a snare, a noose" (late 14c.), which is probably a diminutive of snare (n.1). The intransitive sense of "become twisted or entangled" is from c. 1600. Related: Snarled; snarling.

"growl and bare the teeth," as an angry dog or wolf, 1580s, perhaps from Dutch or Low German snarren "to rattle," which are probably of imitative origin (compare German schnarren "to rattle," schnurren "to hum, buzz"). The meaning "speak in a harsh, quarrelsome manner" is recorded by 1690s. Related: Snarled; snarling.

late 14c., "a snare, noose, trap," perhaps a diminutive of snare (n.1) with -el (2). The meaning "a tangle, a knot" in hair, thread, etc. is attested from c. 1600. That of "traffic jam" is from 1933.

"a sharp growl accompanied by a display of the teeth," 1610s, from snarl (v.2).