Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HOOT, v.i. [W. hwd or hwt, a taking off, off, away; hwtiaw, to take off to push away, to hoot; and udaw, to howl or yell; Fr. huer, a contracted word; hence, hue, in hue and cry.]

1. To cry out or shout in contempt. Matrons and girls shall hoot at thee no more. Dryden.
2. To cry, as an owl. The clamorous owl, that nightly hoots. Dryden.