When the weather on the lake continues to change drastically, where does Haroun say that they are?

That alligator hungry. vittles very scarce that time a season. his belly be pinchin him hard, now. but bruh deer is fat, and so he is in heavy trouble. the alligator there in front of him. the beagles there behind him. what bruh deer gone do? he sees the alligator and he hears the beagles. how does the author readers understand what the word pinchin means?