squawk

Meanings

Noun

• A shrill noise, especially made by a voice or bird; a yell, scream, or call.
• A four-digit transponder code used by aircraft for identification or transmission of emergency signals.
• A complaint or objection.
• An issue or complaint related to aircraft maintenance.
• The American night heron.
• A warning message indicating a possible error.

Verb

• To make a squawking noise; to yell, scream, or call out shrilly.
• To speak out; to protest.
• To report an infraction; to rat on or tattle; to disclose a secret.
• To produce a warning message, indicating a possible error.
• To set or transmit a four-digit transponder code.
• To back out in a mean way.

Origin

• Unknown , but probably of imitative origin (compare dialectal Italian squacco ("small-crested heron")).