Growl
/ɡraʊl/noun
To make a low, rough, threatening sound, especially like an angry animal.
Did you know?Growl is a genuine English sound-word, and its harsh shape helped it become the perfect verbal imitation of animal threat rather than a borrowed “dictionary” term.
Etymological Timeline
Early Modern English
English
growlen / growl
“To make a low, rough, threatening sound”
Middle English
English
growlen
“To utter a low, guttural sound, especially in anger or warning”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*grut- / *grū- (uncertain)
“An imitative base associated with rough, guttural noises”
Old English
English
grunian / gryttan (related sound-words)
“To grunt, mutter, or make a rough animal-like noise”
Modern English
English
growl
“To utter a low, threatening rumbling sound”