Etymology

snesen, alteration of earlier fnesen "to sneeze" from fnēosan "to snort, sneeze" from . Akin to fnysa "to snort", dial. fniezen "to sneeze" (Modern Standard niezen); neosen "to sneeze" from hnjōsa "to sneeze" ( nysa "to sneeze"), niosan "to sneeze" ( niesen).

The infrequency of the “fn” combination coupled with the visual similarity of an “f” and “ſ” (long “s”) assisted in ultimately turning “fneeze” into “sneeze”.

Verb

1. To expel air as a reflex induced by an irritation in the nose.