death rattle

American  

noun

1. a sound produced by a person immediately preceding death, resulting from the passage of air through the mucus in the throat.

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death rattle British  

noun

1. a low-pitched gurgling sound sometimes made by a dying person, caused by air passing through an accumulation of mucus in the trachea

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Etymology

Origin of death rattle

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Proof of musical life: There’s no banjo in sight, but Martin shows off his song-and-dance chops in Season 3’s “Death Rattle” musical by performing the tongue-twisting ditty “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It.”

From Los Angeles Times

The latest season of the murder mystery comedy series gave Short’s character, Oliver Putnam, a chance to turn his murder mystery stage play into an outrageous Broadway musical called “Death Rattle Dazzle!”

From Los Angeles Times

The death rattle from there was gradual.

From Slate

Few productions have been as cataclysmic as Oliver Putnam’s “Death Rattle Dazzle,” a misbegotten gothic about murderous infants, re-conceived as a glittery musical.

From New York Times

“Death Rattle Dazzle” bore only the vaguest sequined resemblance to a real Broadway show, while demonstrating deep love of the form.

From New York Times