cack·le / ˈkakəl/ • v. [intr.] (of a bird, typically a hen or goose) give a raucous, clucking cry: the hen was cackling as if demented. ∎  make a harsh sound resembling such a cry when laughing: she cackled with laughter | [tr.] “Ah ha!” he cackled. • n. the raucous clucking cry of a bird such as a hen or a goose. ∎  a harsh laugh resembling such a cry: her delighted cackle.

cackle make a noise as a hen. XIII. perh. — (M)LG., (M)Du. kākelen, of imit. orig. (but partly f. kāke jaw (CHEEK)). See -LE 2.