kniepen

Meaning

1. (Northern-Germany, informal, weak) to blink, wink
2. (Northern-Germany, alt-of, alternative, colloquial, weak) alternative form of kneifen (“to pinch”)

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈkniːpən/

Etymology

Cognate with German: kneifen

Cognate with Middle Low German: knippen

Cognate with Dutch: knippen

In summary

From Low German kniepen (“to squeeze; blink”), from Middle Low German knîpen, whence also German kneifen (kneipen). The Low German form was conflated with another verb, Middle Low German knippen (“to blink”), which is probably not originally related. Compare Dutch knippen for more.