I. noun
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : whispered speech
b. : gossip , rumor
2. : a sibilant sound : whisper
II. adjective
Date: 1547
1. : making a sibilant sound
2. : spreading confidential and especially derogatory reports
whispering tongues can poison truth — S. T. Coleridge
• whis·per·ing·ly -p(ə-)riŋ-lē adverb