ululation

verb (used without object), ul·u·lat·ed, ul·u·lat·ing.

1. to howl, as a dog or a wolf; hoot, as an owl.
2. to utter howling sounds, as in shrill, wordless lamentation; wail.
3. to lament loudly and shrilly.

verb

1. (intr) to howl or wail, as with grief

n.1590s, from Latin ululationem (nominative ululatio) “a howling or wailing,” noun of action from past participle stem of ululare “ululate,” a reduplicated imitative root (cf. Greek ololyzein “to cry aloud,” Sanskrit ululih “a howling,” Lithuanian uluti “howl,” Gaelic uileliugh “wail of lamentation,” Old English ule “owl”). v.1620s, from Latin ululatus, past participle of ululare (see ululation). Related: Ululated; ululating.