Meaning

noun a simple jointed bit for a horse; without a curb

verb get hold of or seize quickly and easily

verb fit or restrain with a snaffle

originApparently from Dutch snavel, from Middle Dutch snavel, snabel (“snout”), diminutive of Middle Dutch snabbe, snebbe (“bird's bill, neb”). Akin to Old Frisian snavel (“mouth”), Middle Low German snabbe (“neb, beak”), Old English nebb (“beak, bill, nose, face”). More at neb.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0