husk2

 
Pronunciation: /hʌsk/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1bronchitis in cattle, sheep, or pigs caused by parasitic infestation, typically marked by a husky cough.
  • 2huskiness: the husk in her voice

verb

[with direct speech]
  • say something in a husky voice: ‘What big blue eyes you have,’ husked Lorenzo

Origin:

early 18th century: partly from husky1, partly from the earlier verb husk '(of a farm animal) cough'