Making the loud, harsh cry characteristic of a donkey, or producing any similarly harsh, loud sound.
From Old French 'braire' meaning 'to cry out', of imitative origin. The word mimics the actual sound made by donkeys, making it one of many onomatopoeic animal sound words in English.
Donkeys don't actually say 'hee-haw' as commonly portrayed - their bray is more of a harsh 'eee-aww' sound that can carry for miles across countryside. The word has become a metaphor for any loud, unpleasant noise, especially when describing raucous human laughter or speech.
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