howl

Etymology

From Middle English howlen, houlen, from Old English *hūlian, from Proto-West Germanic *hūwilōn, from Proto-Germanic *hūwilōną, *hiuwilōną (“to howl”), from Proto-Indo-European *kū-, *kew- (“to howl, scream”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian huulje (“to howl”), Dutch huilen (“to howl”), Old French ouler, German Low German hulen (“to howl”), German heulen (“to howl”), Danish hyle (“to howl”), Swedish yla (“to scream, yell”), Northern Luri آلٛیر (āłir, “howl”).

noun

1. The protracted, mournful cry of a dog, wolf or other canid; also of other animals.
   [T]he fox was out on love-adventures, abused his rivals, and uttered scoffing screams and howls. 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 117
   All at once the cat thrust her paw inside the ring again, but the tailor was quick as lightning and chopped the paw off. The cats set up a terrible howl, and away they rushed through the door as fast as they could. 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 159
   Dan was beginning to feel very depressed when suddenly the eerie howl of a dingo rang out[.] 1943, H. Lorna Bingham, The Lost Tribe, Sydney: Winn and Co., page 13, column 2
2. Any similar sound.
   The howl of the wind
3. A prolonged cry of distress or anguish; a wail.

verb

1. To utter a loud, protracted, mournful sound or cry, as dogs and wolves often do.
2. To utter a sound expressive of pain or distress; to cry aloud and mournfully; to lament; to wail.
3. To make a noise resembling the cry of a wild beast.
   They howled with laughter at the prank.
4. To utter with outcry.
   to howl derision