prusten

English

Etymology

From the (deprecated template usage) [etyl] German verb prusten (“to sneeze, to snort”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɹuːst(ə)n/

Noun

prusten (uncountable)

1. A sound made by tigers and snow leopards without the intent to threaten, producing a breathy snort by blowing through the nostrils whilst the mouth is closed — a low-frequency equivalent of the purring found in domestic cats.
   • 2001, Yann Martel, Life of Pi, Canongate (2003), →ISBN, chapter 57, page 163:

     He made a sound, a snort from his nostrils. I pricked up my ears. He did it a second time. I was astonished. Prusten?

   • ibidem, pages 163–164:

     Prusten is the quietest of tiger calls, a puff through the nose to express friendliness and harmless intentions.

Synonyms

• chuffle

Further reading

• prusten on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• Turpens, punster, punters, turneps, unprest

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German

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpʁuːstən/, [ˈpʁuːstn̩]

• Audio:

  (file)

Verb

1. to snort (especially with laughter)
2. to splutter

Descendants

• English: prusten

Further reading

• “prusten” in Duden online