vt to bring to a specified state by coughing; as, he coughed himself hoarse.
2. cough ·vi the more or less frequent repetition of coughing, constituting a symptom of disease.
3. cough ·vt to expel from the lungs or air passages by coughing;
followed by up; as, to cough up phlegm.
4. cough ·vi to expel air, or obstructing or irritating matter, from the lungs or air passages, in a noisy and violent manner.
5. cough ·vi a sudden, noisy, and violent expulsion of air from the chest, caused by irritation in the air passages, or by the reflex action of nervous or gastric disorder, ·etc.