rumble

verb

• 1 [no object] make a continuous deep, resonant sound:thunder rumbled, lightning flickered
• [with adverbial of direction] (especially of a large vehicle) move with a rumbling sound:heavy lorries rumbled through the streets
• [with object] utter in a deep, resonant voice:the man’s low voice rumbled an instruction
• (of a person’s stomach) make a deep, resonant sound due to hunger: as she passed the buffet car her stomach rumbled
• (rumble on) British (of a dispute) continue in a persistent but low-key way:the debate about television replays rumbles on

• 2 [with object] British informal discover (an illicit activity or its perpetrator):it wouldn’t need a genius to rumble my little game

• 3 [no object] US informal take part in a street fight between gangs or large groups: the five of them rumbled with the men in the other car

noun

• 1a continuous deep, resonant sound like distant thunder:the continuous rumble of traffic figurativethere were of rumbles of discontent from small retailers

• 2US informal a street fight between gangs or large groups: a rumble between two gangs of street thugs