Now dial. [Imitative: cf. WHISH v.1] intr. To make a soft rushing sound, as wind, flowing water, waves, etc.; to move with such a sound. (Cf. HUSH v.3) Chiefly in vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1581. A. Hall, Iliad, II. 23. When as the westerne winde doth meete a field of graine,… & cause the eares to whush. Ibid., IV. 72. As the waues within the sea … yeelds whushing noise.
1856. Dickens, An Ordeal, vi. in Househ. Wds., 12 April, 299/2. With a ‘whushing’ music, as of distant waves.
1861. ‘Holme Lee,’ Adv. Tuflongbo, i. 3. He could tell whether his little son was coming to meet him by the whushing and whispering amongst the trees.
