▪ I. croaking, vbl. n.
(ˈkrəʊkɪŋ)
[f. croak v.]
1. The action of making a deep hoarse sound.
| 1547 Boorde Brev. Health cccix. 100 b, In Englyshe it is named crokyng or clockyng in ones bely. a 1610 Healey Epictetus' Man. xxiv. (1636) 29 The croaking of the Raven. 1840 R. Dana Bef. Mast ix. 22 The frogs set up their croaking in the marshes. |
2. fig. Talking dismally or foreboding evil.
| 1787 J. Wedgwood Let. 16 June (1965) 305, I rejoice to find that all croaking against the treaty is at an end everywhere. 1810 Wellington in Gurw. Desp. VI. 417 The croaking which already prevails in the army. 1836 Marryat Midsh. Easy xxvii. 106 All this comes from your croaking—you're a Mother Cary's chicken. |
▪ II. ˈcroaking, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That croaks. (lit. and fig.)
| 1607 Topsell Serpents (1653) 719 The croaking Frogs made such a noise, as he could take no rest. 1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. ii. i. §2 An innumerable company of croaking Enthusiasts. 1780 F. Burney Lett. 24 Aug., A croaking prophet, foretells nothing but utter destruction. 1885 Manch. Exam. 27 Feb. 5/4 [His] voice itself was pitched in a low and croaking key. |