death rattle

noun

1. a sound produced by a person immediately preceding death, resulting from the passage of air through the mucus in the throat.

death rattle

noun

1. a low-pitched gurgling sound sometimes made by a dying person, caused by air passing through an accumulation of mucus in the trachea

Word History and Origins

Origin of death rattle¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Proof of musical life: There’s no banjo in sight, but Martin shows off his song-and-dance chops in Season 3’s “Death Rattle” musical by performing the tongue-twisting ditty “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It.”

From Los Angeles Times

The latest season of the murder mystery comedy series gave Short’s character, Oliver Putnam, a chance to turn his murder mystery stage play into an outrageous Broadway musical called “Death Rattle Dazzle!”

From Los Angeles Times

Even from a few miles away, the death rattle of another Ukrainian city echoed through the mist and fog.

From New York Times

The death rattle from there was gradual.

From Slate

The death rattle from there was gradual.

From Slate