dry heave

or dry-heave

[ drahy heev ]

verb (used without object)

1. to make an involuntary effort to vomit, but without bringing anything up; retch:

   I dry heave every time I think back to that awful incident.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dry heave¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Then, Rogen convinces Franco to drink some contaminated water from a stream—which causes the 127 Hours Oscar nominee to dry-heave.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• eject
• gag
• heave
• regurgitate