Late 16th century; earliest use found in Alexander Montgomerie (c1550–1598), poet and courtier. Earliest (in some forms) from nieve + -y (with reduplication) + an element of uncertain origin, perhaps arbitrary, or perhaps a variant of knack, since the traditional rhyme in which the word is used ends with the words ‘I'll beguile ye if I can’. The γ and some forms show reduplication (and usually vowel variation) in the final element; compare knick-knack.