n. & v.
n. 1 a clucking sound as of a hen or a goose. 2 a loud silly laugh. 3 noisy inconsequential talk.
v. 1 intr. emit a cackle. 2 intr. talk noisily and inconsequentially. 3 tr. utter or express with a cackle. cut the cackle colloq. stop talking aimlessly and come to the point.
[ ME prob. f. MLG, MDu. kakelen (imit.) ]