Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
GROWL
I. verb
Etymology: Middle English groulen, grollen
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. rumble , to utter a growl , to complain angrily, transitive verb to utter with a growl ; utter angrily,
II. noun
Date: 1715
a deep guttural inarticulate sound