Growl

Pronunciation

• enPR: gräŭl, IPA: /É¡raÊŠl/
• Rhymes: -aÊŠl

Alternative forms

• groil dialectal
• groul obsolete

Origin

From Middle English growlen, related to Middle Dutch grollen

Dutch grollen ("to grumble")}, German grollen ("to rumble, be angry, bear ill will"), Old English grillan, griellan ("to provoke, offend; gnash the teeth"). More at grill.

Full definition of growl

Noun

1. The deep, threatening sound made in the throat by an animal; a grumbling sound.
2. The sound made by a hungry stomach.

Derived terms

• death growl

Verb

1. (intransitive) To utter a deep guttural sound, as an angry animal; to give forth an angry, grumbling sound.The dog growled at me as I walked past.
2. (transitive) To express (something) by growling.The old man growled his displeasure at the postman.
3. (software) To send a user a message via the Growl (software) software library.