Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BAWL, v.i. [Sax. bellan; Sw. bola, to low or bellow; W. ballaw; G. bellen, to bark; D. balderen, to roar; L. balo, to bleat; Fr. piailler, to bawl, to pule; Heb. יבל, yabal, the blast of a trumpet; Pers. bala, a cry or clamor; and Ar. and Heb. אבל, ebal, to weep, to wail. These all coincide in elements with L. pello, appello, Eng. peal, and the primary sense is the same.]

1. To cry out with a loud full sound; to hoot; to cry with vehemence, as in calling, or in pain or exultation.
2. To cry loud, as a child from pain or vexation.