Английский Этимологический словарь - snipe (n.)

- 13c., from O.N. -snipa in myrisnipa "marsh snipe." The O.E. name was snite. An opprobrious term (cf. guttersnipe) since 1604. The verb meaning "to shoot from a hidden place" is first attested 1782, in allusion to hunting snipe as game; sniper first attested 1824 in the sense of "sharpshooter."