To make a loud, harsh, unpleasant noise or cry, like a bird; also means to complain loudly.
Originally imitative, created from the blend of 'squall' and 'hawk.' First recorded in the 1700s as onomatopoeia—the word itself imitates the sound it describes.
This is a 'blend word' or portmanteau that English speakers just invented to capture a sound that didn't have a perfect name—our brains are amazing at creating words for noises!
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