sough

present singular third person soughs · participle present soughing · participle past soughed · past soughed

1. To make a soft rustling or murmuring sound.

   I lay awake for a while that evening, listening to the soughing of the wind high in the pines, realizing sadly that we must now return to civilization.

   1963, Sterling North, Rascal, Avon Books, page 101

   1 more example

   The great train snaked on through the dark, pounding out the miles through the empty plains and mingy hamlets of Georgia, the 'Peach State', the angry moan of its four-toned wind-horn soughing over the wide savannah and the long shaft of its single searchlight ripping the black calico of the night.

   1954, Ian Fleming, “Allumeuse”, in Live and Let Die, London: Pan Books, published 1957, page 115

plural soughs

1. A murmuring sound; rushing, rustling, or whistling sound.

   The whispering leaves or solemn sough of the forest.

   1838, William Howitt, The Rural Life of England

   2 more examples

   [...] Arthur; a fearful night it was: there was a sough in the air, a sound drawing nigh like that of a host marching:- — but you're looking pale and forwrought, man; is any thing ailing ye?

   1829, John Carne, Stratton Hill: A Tale of the Civil Wars, volume 1, page 131

   Syenite hears the distant sough of waves rolling against rocks, somewhere below the slope on which they lie.

   2015, N. K. Jemisin, chapter 16, in The Fifth Season

2. A gentle breeze; a waft; a breath.
3. A (deep) sigh.
4. ScotlandobsoleteA vague rumour.
5. ScotlandobsoleteA cant or whining mode of speaking, especially in preaching or praying.

plural soughs

1. A small drain; an adit.

present singular third person soughs · participle present soughing · participle past soughed · past soughed

1. To drain.

1. A hamlet in Kelbrook and Sough parish, Pendle borough, Lancashire, England (OS grid ref SD9045).