crepitate

verb

crep·​i·​tate ˈkre-pə-ˌtāt 

crepitated; crepitating

intransitive verb

: to make a crackling sound : crackle

crepitation

ˌkre-pə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Did you know?

Crepitate comes from the Latin word crepitare, meaning "to crackle." It has been used with this meaning since the late 1820s, but it had a previous life: about 200 years prior it was used to mean "to break wind." That meaning is now obsolete, and the word has no embarrassing remnants. In addition to its general use as a synonym of crackle, crepitate also has a specific medical meaning-"to produce or experience crepitation." Crepitation here refers to a grating or crackling sound or sensation, such as that produced by the fractured ends of a bone moving against each other.

Word History

Etymology

Latin crepitatus, past participle of crepitare to crackle, frequentative of crepare to rattle, crack

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

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Medical Definition

crepitate

intransitive verb

crep·​i·​tate ˈkrep-ə-ˌtāt 

crepitated; crepitating

: to produce or experience crepitation