I. ˈhwēz, ˈwēz intransitive verb
( wheezed ; wheez·ing )
Etymology: Middle English whesen, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hvæsa to hiss; akin to Old English hwǣst action of blowing, Sanskrit śvasiti he blows, snorts
Date: 15th century
1. : to breathe with difficulty usually with a whistling sound
2. : to make a sound resembling that of wheezing
the bellows wheezed
II. noun
Date: 1800
1. : a sound of wheezing
2.
a. : an often repeated and widely known joke used especially by entertainers
b. : a trite saying or proverb