ahem

Etymology

intj

1. (onomatopoeia) the sound of a quiet cough or of clearing one's throat
2. an exclamation or cough to get attention
   Ahem! Could we please get started?
3. an exclamation of disapproval or annoyance
   Ahem! In case you didn't notice, I did my share of the work, too.
4. an exclamation to indicate sarcasm
   I really (ahem!) liked the chocolate broccoli surprise.

verb

1. To cough or clear one's throat so as to draw attention.
   He wouldn't have been suspected of crying for the world, but he coughed and ahemmed, and finally turned away without speaking. 1856, Louise Chandler Moulton, Juno Clifford, page 108
   A full inspiration, preparatory to hawking, ahemming, or premeditated careful coughing, would excite an explosion of an unusually violent and persistent cough, hurrying the breath out of the poor victims. 1858, The Peninsular and Independent Medical Journal, page 153