Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCREECH, v.i. [Sw. skrika; Dan. skriger; G. schreien, W. ysgreçian, from creçian, to creak; Ir. screachaim. See Screak and Shriek, and Class Rg, No. 1, 4, 49, 50.]

1. To cry out with a sharp shrill voice; to utter a sudden shrill cry, as in terror or acute pain; to scream; to shriek. Bacon.
2. To utter a sharp cry, as an owl; thence called screech-owl.