Main Entry: ¹bark

Pronunciation: \ˈbärk\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English berken, from Old English beorcan; akin to Old Norse berkja to bark, Lithuanian burgėti to growl

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 a : to make the characteristic short loud cry of a dog b : to make a noise resembling a bark
2 : to speak in a curt loud and usually angry tone : snaptransitive verb 1 : to utter in a curt loud usually angry tone <an officer barking orders>
2 : to advertise by persistent outcry <barking their wares>

— bark up the wrong tree : to promote or follow a mistaken course (as in doing research)