KNELL

I. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cnyllan; akin to Middle High German er~en to toll Date: before 12th century transitive verb to summon or announce by or as if by a ~, intransitive verb to ring especially for a death, funeral, or disaster ; toll , to sound in an ominous manner or with an ominous effect, II. noun Date: before 12th century a stroke or sound of a bell especially when rung slowly (as for a death, funeral, or disaster), an indication of the end or the failure of something