guttle
UK[ˈɡʌt(ə)l]US[ˈɡʌdl]
v
To eat or drink greedily and noisily.
Etymology
The verb "guttle" is a colorful, expressive English formation from the late 1500s. It derives from the noun "gut," meaning stomach or intestine, a word of Germanic origin (related to Old English guttas, plural). The addition of the frequentative suffix "-le" creates a verb that vividly describes the act of eating in a manner associated with or characteristic of the gut—that is, with greedy, animalistic consumption. While "gut" itself can be traced back to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots related to pouring or a channel, the specific formation "guttle" represents a native English process of creating descriptive, often somewhat humorous or critical verbs. Its usage has always been colloquial and evocative, painting a clear auditory and visual picture of gluttonous eating.
Analysis
This word is a simplex, likely formed by frequentative or expressive alteration from the base word "gut" (meaning stomach or belly) in the late 16th century. The "-le" suffix is a frequentative verb-forming element common in English (as in "sparkle," "crackle"), suggesting a repeated or characteristic action.
Examples
He would guttle his food so quickly that he often gave himself indigestion.
The spectators watched the contestants guttle pies during the chaotic eating contest.
It's unpleasant to sit next to someone who guttles their dinner without a thought for manners.