ululate

verb

Etymology: Borrowed from Latin ululō, ululātus, of imitative origin. Cognate with Spanish aullar (“to howl”) and ulular (“to hoot”), and French ululer (“to howl”).

1. To howl loudly or prolongedly in lamentation or joy.

   “Should I ever marry, Watson, I should hope to inspire my wife with some feeling which would prevent her from being walked off by a housekeeper when my corpse was lying within a few yards of her. It was badly stage-managed; for even the rawest investigators must be struck by the absence of the usual feminine ululation.”

   “Women dance in tight circles, ululating with joy, while groups of men sit nearby watching.”

2. To produce a rapid and prolonged series of sharp noises with one's voice.