champ1

 
Pronunciation: /tʃamp/

verb

[no object]
  • 1(of a horse) make a noisy biting or chewing action.
  • munch or chew enthusiastically or noisily: he champed on his sandwich
  • 2fret impatiently: he was already on the plane, champing to get off to Lagos

noun

[in singular]
  • a biting or chewing action.

Phrases

champ (or chomp or chafe) at the bit

be restlessly impatient to start doing something: I was champing at the bit to investigate the shops

Origin:

late Middle English: probably imitative