from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Bleat \Bleat\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bleated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bleating}.] [OE. bleten, AS. bl?tan; akin to D. blaten,
bleeten, OHG. bl[=a]zan, pl[=a]zan; prob. of imitative
origin.]
To make the noise of, or one like that of, a sheep; to cry
like a sheep or calf.
[1913 Webster]
Then suddenly was heard along the main,
To low the ox, to bleat the woolly train. --Pope
[1913 Webster]
The ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baas, will
never answer a calf when he bleats. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]