Borborygmus
/ˌbɔːr.bəˈrɪɡ.məs/noun
A rumbling or gurgling noise made by gas moving through the intestines.
Did you know?The word comes from Ancient Greek borborygmos, an onomatopoeic term imitating a bubbling, rumbling noise, so the “mystery” of stomach sounds was literally named by sound itself.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
βορβορυγμός (borborygmos)
“a rumbling or bubbling noise, especially in the stomach”
Late Latin
Latin
borborygmos
“a stomach rumble; intestinal noise”
Middle French
French
borborygme
“a rumbling sound in the bowels”
16th Century
English
borborygmus
“a rumbling noise in the intestines”
Modern English
English
borborygmus
“a rumbling or gurgling sound in the intestines”