from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cackle \Cac"kle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Cackled} (-k'ld); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Cackling}.] [OE. cakelen; cf. LG. kakeln, D.
kakelen, G. gackeln, gackern; all of imitative origin. Cf.
{Gagle}, {Cake} to cackle.]
1. To make a sharp, broken noise or cry, as a hen or goose
does.
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When every goose is cackling. --Shak.
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2. To laugh with a broken noise, like the cackling of a hen
or a goose; to giggle. --Arbuthnot.
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3. To talk in a silly manner; to prattle. --Johnson.
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