chuckle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtʃʌk(ə)l/

verb

[no object]
  • laugh quietly or inwardly: I chuckled at the astonishment on her face

noun

  • a quiet or suppressed laugh: Melissa gave a chuckle

Derivatives

chuckler

noun

Origin:

late 16th century (in the sense 'laugh convulsively'): from chuck meaning 'to cluck' in late Middle English