Squall
/skwɔːl/noun
A sudden, violent gust of wind, often with rain or snow; also a loud cry or outburst.
Did you know?The word likely began as an imitative sound-word for a sharp cry or noisy burst, then was applied to stormy wind, showing how languages turn raw sound into weather magic.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
English
squall
“A sudden cry, wail, or noisy outburst; later, a sudden violent gust of wind”
15th-16th Century
Scandinavian
skvalra / skvala
“To gush, splash, or make a noisy sound”
Middle English
English
squallen
“To cry out loudly; to make a sudden noisy disturbance”
Modern English
English
squall
“A sudden violent gust of wind, often with precipitation; also a loud cry or commotion”