growl

 
Pronunciation: /graʊl/

verb

[no object]
  • (of an animal, especially a dog) make a low guttural sound of hostility in the throat: the dogs yapped and growled at his heels
  • [with direct speech] (of a person) say something in a low harsh voice, typically in a threatening manner: ‘Keep out of this,’ he growled
  • make a low or harsh rumbling sound: thunder growls without warning from a summer sky

noun

  • a growling sound made by a hostile animal: the bulldog lumbered to her feet with a threatening growl [in singular]: the growl of diesel engines
  • a low, harsh sound or utterance: with a growl of fury, he tightened his grip

Derivatives

growlingly

adverb

growly

adjective

Origin:

mid 17th century: probably imitative