Yowlers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term used to refer to individuals or animals that emit a loud, wailing sound or cry
2. A reference to those who are known for their vocal outbursts, often in distress or annoyance
3. A descriptor for creatures or people that produce a piercing, mournful noise typically associated with lament or alert

Etymology: "Yowlers" is simply the plural of "yowler," which is formed from "yowl" plus the agent suffix "-er," meaning one that performs the action. The verb "yowl" itself is the older root, and it describes a long, loud, wailing cry, the sort a cat or dog makes in distress or a person makes in pain or grief. The suffix has a longer history than the verb. The "-er" ending descends from Latin "-arius," which denoted a person connected with something, and it passed into English through Old French "-ier" and Middle English "-er." Along the way, Old English had its own "-ere" doing similar work, so English speakers were already comfortable attaching this ending to verbs by the time such forms appeared.

Synonyms: howlers, screamers