n. & v.
n. a harsh high-pitched scream.
v.tr. & intr. utter with or make a screech. screech-owl any owl that screeches instead of hooting, esp. a barn-owl or a small American owl, Otus asio. screecher n. screechy adj. (screechier, screechiest).
[ 16th-c. var. of ME scritch (imit.) ]