Retching

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Retch \Retch\ (r[e^]ch or r[=e]ch; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
     {Retched} (r[e^]cht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Retching}.] [AS.
     hr[ae]can to clear the throat, hawk, fr. hraca throat; akin
     to G. rachen, and perhaps to E. rack neck.]
     To make an effort to vomit; to strain, as in vomiting.
     [Written also {reach}.]


     [1913 Webster]
  
           Beloved Julia, hear me still beseeching!
           (Here he grew inarticulate with retching.) --Byron.
     [1913 Webster]