growling

Growling is a low, guttural vocalization produced by many mammals. It typically has a rough, rumbling quality and is associated with vocal effort in the larynx, chest, and throat. Growls can function as warning signals, expressions of discomfort or fear, or components of social interaction, including play in some species. The acoustic characteristics vary with size, anatomy, and context.

In animals such as dogs, wolves, and large cats, growling serves largely as a threat or defense signal. It conveys unease or intent to deter, and it is often accompanied by body language such as a stiff stance, bared teeth, or raised fur. In social encounters, a growl may resolve conflict without a physical fight; different intensities communicate different threats.

Physiologically, growling involves adduction and vibration of the vocal folds, with resonances amplified by the vocal tract. Lower-pitched growls from larger animals tend to travel farther and carry more weight than higher-pitched ones. The exact sound is shaped by breathing patterns, laryngeal tension, and surrounding air pressure.

In humans, the term also describes a nonvocal stomach sound known as borborygmi, caused by gas and fluid movement in the intestines during digestion. These noises are common and usually harmless, though they may be amplified by hunger, digestive activity, or slowed digestion. When used as a vocal effect, growling can appear in certain singing or acting styles to create a rough, powerful timbre.