cackle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkak(ə)l/

verb

[no object]
  • (of a bird, especially a hen or goose) give a raucous clucking cry: the hen was cackling as if demented (as adjective cackling) cackling, whooping cries
  • laugh in a loud, harsh way: she cackled with laughter
  • informal talk at length without acting on what is said: corporate luminaries cackle on about the importance of quality

noun

  • the raucous clucking cry of a bird such as a hen or a goose: ducks have a harsh growling cackle
  • a loud, harsh laugh: her delighted cackle

Phrases

cut the cackle

[usually in imperative] informal stop talking aimlessly and come to the point: cut the cackle and just get us there

Origin:

Middle English: probably from Middle Low German kākelen, partly imitative, reinforced by kāke 'jaw, cheek'