harrumph

[ huh-ruhmf ]
/ həˈrʌmf /

verb (used without object)

to clear the throat audibly in a self-important manner: The professor harrumphed good-naturedly.
to express oneself gruffly.

Origin of harrumph

First recorded in 1935–40; imitative

Example sentences from the Web for harrumph

British Dictionary definitions for harrumph

harrumph
/ (həˈrʌmf) /

verb

(intr) to clear or make the noise of clearing the throat