Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GROAN, v.i. [Sax. granian, grunan; W. grwnan; L. grunnio; Fr. gronder; Sp. gruñir; It. grugnire; Ar. رَنَّ ranna, Heb. and Ch. רנן, to cry out, to groan; L. rana, a frog. Class Rn, No. 4.]

1. To breathe with a deep murmuring sound; to utter a mournful voice, as in pain or sorrow. For we that are in this tabernacle, do groan, being burdened. 2 Cor. v.
2. To sigh; to be oppressed or afflicted; or to complain of oppression. A nation groans under the weight of taxes.