Dictionary entry

Wheeze

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Wheeze (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Wheezed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Wheezing.] [OE. whesen, AS. hwsan (cf. Icel. hvæsa to hiss, Sw. hväsa, Dan. hvæse); akin to AS. hwsta a cough, D. hoest, G. husten, OHG. huosto, Icel. h�sti, Lith. kosti to cough, Skr. k�s. √43. Cf. Husky hoarse.] To breathe hard, and with an audible piping or whistling sound, as persons affected with asthma. “Wheezing lungs.” Shak.