I. ˈkrōk verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English croken, of imitative origin
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to make a deep harsh sound
the frogs croaked
b. : to speak in a hoarse throaty raucous voice
I tried to ask … but my voice just croaked indistinguishably — Kenneth Roberts
2.
a. : to protest dismally or dolefully : grumble dourly : complain
a querulous patient always croaking about the hospital
b. : to predict evil : talk dismally
misanthropists always croaking about man's demerits
3. slang : die
transitive verb
1. : to forebode, announce, or utter in a hoarse raucous voice
the raven … that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan — Shakespeare
2. slang : to kill especially with brutal violence
Synonyms: see complain
II. noun
( -s )
1. : the hoarse harsh cry of a frog or raven or a similar sound
the croak of an old woman
a strange croak of a laugh
especially : an expiring gasp
his last croak
2. : an asthmatic disease affecting the hawk — usually used in plural