Pronunciation: [jˈa͡ʊl] (IPA) 
The word "yowl" is spelled phonetically as /jaʊl/. The IPA transcription shows that the first sound is a "y" sound, like you or yellow. The second sound is a round open vowel sound like "ow" in cow. The final sound is an "l" sound, which is pronounced with the tongue touching the roof of the mouth. "Yowl" is a verb that means to cry out loudly like a wounded or distressed animal.
Yowl is a verb that refers to the act of making a loud, prolonged, and distressful cry, typically associated with a cat or other similar animals. It is used to express complaints, discontentment, pain, or fear. The term also points to an eerie and haunting sound, often characterized by its high-pitched nature.
When a cat yowls, it emits a deep, guttural noise, sometimes described as a combination of a meow and a howl. It can range in intensity and pitch, depending on the level of distress or urgency the cat is experiencing. Yowling can occur for various reasons, such as hunger, territorial disputes, mating calls, or even to gain human attention.
Although primarily associated with cats, the term can be extended to describe similar sounds made by other animals, such as foxes, wolves, or even some species of birds. In these cases, the yowling noises often serve to communicate their presence, establish territories, or attract potential mates.
Figuratively, "yowl" can be used as a noun to describe the actual sound itself or as an expression to represent a loud and persistent complaint or outcry made by humans, for example, during protests or heated arguments.
Overall, yowl refers to a distinct and often unsettling vocalization that plays a significant role in communication for certain animals. It is characterized by its loudness, prolonged duration, and the potential emotions it conveys.
The word "yowl" is derived from Middle English "yowlen", which can be traced back to the Old English word "geowan". The Old English term "geowan" originally meant "to call" or "to cry aloud", especially in relation to animals' cries. Over time, this evolved into "yowlen" in Middle English, specifically referring to the sound made by cats or other animals when they howl or wail. Eventually, "yowlen" further transformed into "yowl", which remains the modern English term for the loud, long, and mournful cry of an animal or even a person in distress or pain.
