wheeze

Definition

To breathe hard, and with an audible piping or whistling sound, as persons affected with asthma.

Etymology

From Middle English whesen, perhaps from Old Norse hvæsa (“to hiss”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱwes- (“to pant”).

Example Sentences

• "If the air smelled even faintly of dog, Lionel coughed, wheezed and sneezed."
• "Mrs. Hearty began to shake and wheeze with laughter, and Millie stood looking at Bindle."
• "He began to wheeze again, and tears rolled down his furrowed cheeks. Nate was laughing, too, infected by Check's contagious wheezing."