cackling

Verb

cackle (third-person singular simple present cackles, present participle cackling, simple past and past participle cackled)

1. (intransitive) To make a sharp, broken noise or cry, as a hen or goose does.
   • When every goose is cackling.c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
2. (intransitive) To laugh with a broken sound similar to a hen's cry.
   • The witch cackled evilly.
3. (intransitive) To talk in a silly manner; to prattle.
   • It is also the business of a sensible government, not to cackle on its discoveries1860, P. Thomspon, Audi Alteration[???]
4. (slang, transitive) To pretend to rattle (dice) in one's hand while gripping them so that they maintain their orientation.
   • Danny cackled the dice furiously in his cupped hand, then rolled them so they stopped inches from Slattery's hands. The result was the same as before – a seven.1941, Mignon Good Eberhart, The Third Mystery Book: Six Short Mysteries, page 120

See all 8 meanings of cackle