Bleat (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bleated; p. pr. & vb. n. Bleating.] [OE. bleten, AS. bltan; akin to D. blaten, bleeten, OHG. blazan, plazan; prob. of imitative origin.]
To make the noise of, or one like that of, a sheep; to cry like a sheep or calf.
Then suddenly was heard along the main,
To low the ox, to bleat the woolly train.
Pope
The ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baas, will never answer a calf when he bleats.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Bleat, n.
A plaintive cry of, or like that of, a sheep.
The bleat of fleecy sheep.
Chapman's Homer.
© Webster 1913.