The story
Suggesting that the afflicted person will soon pass away and be buried.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
churchyard cough
Today it means: A severe cough. (condition that causes one to cough, tendency to cough) Full definition →
Today it means: A severe cough. (condition that causes one to cough, tendency to cough) Full definition →
Suggesting that the afflicted person will soon pass away and be buried.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.