"one who takes suddenly or guiltily," 1570s, agent noun from snatch (v.).
Entries linking to snatcher
snatch v.
early 13c., snacchen, of a dog, "make a sudden snap or bite" (at something), a word of uncertain origin; perhaps from an unrecorded Old English *snæccan or Middle Dutch snacken "to snatch, chatter." Compare snack (n.). The meaning "lay hold of suddenly, seize or take eagerly" is from early 14c.; especially "take from someone's hands" (1580s). Related: Snatched; snatching.