From Clang to Growl
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Tap any rung for its meaning.
Two stepping stones: the S (rung 1, for clans) and the S (rung 2, for class) — each borrowed to keep a rung a real word, then given back before the end. There may be several par routes — the census above shows which ones climbers actually took.
To make a loud, ringing metallic sound.
Thought to be imitative, echoing the resonant sound of metal striking metal. It may also be influenced by Latin 'clangere,' meaning to resound or blare. The word has been used in English to describe bells, hammers, and other loud metallic impacts.
Full entry on Wiktionary ↗To make a low, rumbling, threatening sound like an angry dog.
Probably from Middle Dutch or Low German 'grollen', meaning to rumble or be angry. It is thought to be imitative in origin, echoing the sound it describes. The related word 'grumble' may share a similar imitative Germanic root.
Full entry on Wiktionary ↗Definitions give each word’s most common meaning — the full entries live at Wiktionary.