I. ˈyelp, ˈyeu̇p verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English yelpen to boast, call out, from Old English gielpan to boast, exult; akin to Old English gielp pride, arrogance, praise, Old High German gelph outcry, revelry, Old Norse gjalp boasting, Lithuanian gulbinti to praise, and probably to Old English giellan to yell — more at yell
intransitive verb
1. : to utter a sharp quick cry (as of a hound or turkey) : bark shrilly
2. : to squeal, cry out, or call in shrill sharp manner
ladies and gentlemen who yelp at one another with unmistakable breeding — Wolcott Gibbs
woodwind cascades that veritably yelp with exuberance — Winthrop Sargeant
transitive verb
: to utter with a yelp
yelping a few phrases in his surprisingly shrill falsetto voice — James Cameron
II. noun
( -s )
1. : the sharp shrill bark of a dog or other animal
2. : a sharp cry or call : squeal
gave a yelp of alarm