from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Wheeze \Wheeze\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Wheezed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Wheezing}.] [OE. whesen, AS. hw[=e]san (cf. Icel. hv[ae]sa
to hiss, Sw. hv[aum]sa, Dan. hv[ae]se); akin to AS. hw[=o]sta
a cough, D. hoest, G. husten, OHG. huosto, Icel. h[=o]sti,
Lith. kosti to cough, Skr. k[=a]s. [root]43. Cf. {Husky}
hoarse.]
To breathe hard, and with an audible piping or whistling
sound, as persons affected with asthma. "Wheezing lungs."
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]