yowl

Definition

A long, loud, wailing cry, typically made by a cat or other animal.

Etymology

The word is of imitative, onomatopoeic origin, likely appearing in Middle English to describe a howling or wailing sound. It is related to the Middle Low German 'julen' and the Swedish 'jula', which both imitate the sound of a cry.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the mournful, high-pitched vocalizations that cats make, which owners often find disruptive or mysterious. It serves as the central subject of the article as the author explores the various behavioral reasons behind the sound.

Why do cats yowl?

Live Science

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