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Howl

1. To utter a loud, protraced, mournful sound or cry, as dogs and wolves often do. And dogs in corners set them down to howl. (Drayton) Methought a legion of foul fiends Environ'd me about, and howled in my ears. (Shak)

2. To utter a sound expressive of distress; to cry aloud and mournfully; to lament; to wail. Howl ye, for the day of the lord is at hand. (Is. Xiii. 6)

3. To make a noise resembling the cry of a wild beast. Wild howled the wind. (Sir W. Scott) Howling monkey.

(Science: zoology) see howler. Howling wilderness, a wild, desolate place inhabited only by wild beasts.

Origin: oe. Houlen, hulen; akin to D. Huilen, MHG. Hiulen, hiuweln, OHG. Hiuwilon to exult, hwo owl, dan. Hyle to howl.