Definition: snarf

Search dictionary for

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

snarf
     v : make off with belongings of others [syn: pilfer, cabbage,
          purloin, pinch, abstract, swipe, hook, sneak,
          filch, nobble, lift]

Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (2003-OCT-10) 

snarf

   /snarf/ 1. To grab, especially to grab a large document or
   file for the purpose of using it with or without the author's
   permission.

   See also BLT.

   2. (Unix) To fetch a file or set of files across a network.

   See also blast.

   3. To acquire, with little concern for legal forms or
   politesse (but not quite by stealing).  "They were giving away
   samples, so I snarfed a bunch of them."

   4. Synonym for slurp.  "This program starts by snarfing the
   entire database into core."

   5. (GEnie) To spray food or programming fluids due to
   laughing at the wrong moment.  This sense appears to be
   widespread among mundane teenagers - ESR.

   6. This term was mainstream in the late 1960s, meaning "to eat
   piggishly".  It may still have this connotation in context.

   7. A creature on the Thundercats, fond of eating, usually
   covertly.

   [Jargon File]

   (1995-02-21)

Source: Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001) 

snarf /snarf/ vt. 1. To grab, esp. to grab a large document or file for
   the purpose of using it with or without the author's permission. See
   also BLT. 2. [in the Unix community] To fetch a file or set of files
   across a network. See also blast. This term was mainstream in the late
   1960s, meaning `to eat piggishly'. It may still have this connotation in
   context. "He's in the snarfing phase of hacking -- FTPing megs of
   stuff a day." 3. To acquire, with little concern for legal forms or
   politesse (but not quite by stealing). "They were giving away samples,
   so I snarfed a bunch of them." 4. Syn. for slurp. "This program starts
   by snarfing the entire database into core, then...." 5. [GEnie] To spray
   food or programming fluids due to laughing at the wrong moment. "I was
   drinking coffee, and when I read your post I snarfed all over my desk."
   "If I keep reading this topic, I think I'll have to snarf-proof my
   computer with a keyboard condom." [This sense appears to be widespread
   among mundane teenagers --ESR]