bray
UK: breɪ | US: breɪ
n. the loud, harsh cry of a donkey
vi. to make a loud, harsh sound like a donkey's cry
vt. to crush or grind something into small pieces (archaic)
The word "bray" originates from the Old French verb "braire," meaning "to cry or roar," which itself likely stems from Vulgar Latin "*bragere," imitative of loud, harsh sounds. Initially describing animal cries (especially donkeys), it later extended metaphorically to similar noises. The archaic verb sense ("to crush") derives from Old French "broyer," but this meaning is now obsolete.
The donkey let out a loud bray at dawn.
He could hear the distant bray of a mule in the valley.
The comedian's laugh sounded like a bray, annoying the audience.
(Archaic) Medieval cooks would bray spices in a mortar.
The rusty gate brayed as it swung open.