/ graʊl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ v ] growl (at sb/sth) ( of animals, especially dogs ) to make a low sound in the throat, usually as a sign of anger
2.
growl (at sb) to say sth in a low angry voice :
[ v speech ]
'Who are you?' he growled at the stranger.
[ vn ]
She growled a sarcastic reply.
■ noun
a deep angry sound made when sb/sth growls
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: probably imitative.