verb
hawk
To clear the throat noisily to bring up mucus.
He hawks into a tissue to clear mucus from his throat.
Etymology
An imitative throat-clearing verb. It is not derived from the bird-name.
More examples
- She hawks loudly before trying to speak.
- He hawked several times but still felt mucus in his throat.
- Repeated hawking leaves my throat feeling sore.
Forms
hawk · hawks · hawked · hawking
Similar words
- clear one's throat
- A broader phrase that does not necessarily involve mucus.