growling

1 a gruff or angry utterance (suggestive of the growling of an animal)

2 the sound of growling (as made by animals) [syn: growl]

English

Adjective

1. Pertaining to something or someone that growls.

   The growling dog frightened him.

Noun

1. A sustained instance of growls or guttural noises.

   The growling from her stomach told us she was hungry.

Verb

growling

1. present participle of growl
2. musical device where a 'growling' sound is produced on a brass instrument by literally growling with the vocal cords while playing the note.

Growling or growl is a low, guttural vocalization produced by predatory animals as a warning to others, as a sign of aggression, or to express anger. Low or dull rumbling noises may also be emitted by human beings when discontent with something. The human sound is often termed "groaning".

Grrr is an onomatopoeic word which imitates the growling sound of predatory animals, and is often used with other related meanings. It is one of the rare pronounceable words of the English language that consists solely of consonants. This is due to its pre-language animal nature. Its most simple use is by children imitating animals. An example would be: "Daddy! Look at me! I'm a tiger! Grrr!" This word is also widely used in various titles to express growling.

See also

• Dog attack
• Bark (dog)