Also 6 (? erron.) froam. [Of uncertain origin.
Perh. an artificial term suggested by L. fremĕre to roar (F. frémir, to shudder, is too remote in sense). But quot. 1876 suggests that it may, with unexplained irregularity, represent OAngl. hréma = WS. hríeman, to cry out.]
intr. To roar, rage, growl: spec. of a boar.
1576. Turberv., Venerie, 238. A Bore freameth.
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 51. Hee freams, and skrawling to the skye brays terribil hoyseth. Ibid., IV. 100. Hudge fluds lowdlye freaming from mountayns loftye be trowlling.
1660. Howell, Parly of Beasts, viii. 113 He. [a man turned into a boar] did in a manner grind his razers and tusks, and extreamly froam at his own Country-men, taxing them of divers vices.
1674. N. Cox, Gentl. Retreat., I. (1677), 11. Terms for their Noise at Rutting time…. A Boar Freameth.
1711. Puckle, The Club, 112. An hart bellows, a buck groyns, a roe bells, a goat rats, a boar freams, a hare tapps, a fox barks, a badger shrieks, an otter whines, a wolf howls, &c.
[1876. Whitby Gloss., Freeam or Reeam, to scream.]
