Definition of the word howl

The origins of the word "howl" can be traced back to the Old English word "hulián" or "hulan," which meant "to make loud noises, cry, or yowl, especially in a hulking or fearful way." Although today the word "howl" is most commonly associated with the sound of wolves, the original meaning of the word referred to any loud and fearsome noise. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to refer specifically to the sound made by wolves and other wild canids. In Middle English, the word "houlen" began to appear to describe the wolf's howl, and by the 15th century, the modern form of the word "howl" was established. The origin of the word is unclear, but it is thought that "hulián" may have evolved from the Germanic root "hulon," which meant "rough, rugged, or wild," or from the Old Norse "hulr," which meant "monster." In any case, the word "howl" has come to be a powerful and evocative description of the primal and haunting sound made by wolves in the wild.