whooping cough

A family member has contracted 
whooping cough




to Whoop:

• to utter a loud cry or shout in expressing enthusiasm,excitement, etc.
• to cry as an owl, crane, or certain other birds.
• to make the characteristic sound accompanying the deep intake of air following a series of coughs in whooping cough

The illness gets it's name from the sound of  breath being drawn in to fuel the next bout of coughing. It can become so extreme that the air passage closes up entirely and the patient can faint. This then relaxes the airways and they can breath again. 

It's also called the 100 day disease, as it can take that long to recover from.

origin : From Middle English whopen, whowpen, howpen, houpen (“to whoop, cry out”), partially from Old French houper, hopper, houpper (“to shout”), of uncertain origin.

It's also the sound made by Whooping Cranes :~))