cooee

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkuːɪ, -iː/
informal

exclamation

  • used to attract attention, especially at a distance: ‘Cooee!’ The call brought all three heads round

verb (cooees, cooeeing, cooeed)

[no object]
  • make a call to attract attention: Liz had to cooee as he seemed in danger of blundering into the table

Phrases

within cooee

Australian/NZ within reach; near: there’s loads of cheap accommodation within cooee of the airport

Origin:

late 18th century: imitative of a signal used by Australian Aborigines and copied by settlers