barking Definition

bark¹
noun

1. The short sharp cry of a dog or fox, etc.

Thesaurus: yelp, yap, bay, snap, snarl, growl.

verb

intr
barked, barking
1. To make this sound.

Thesaurus: bay, snap, yap, yelp, yell, shout, bawl, bluster.

Idiom: bark up the wrong tree

colloq
To have the wrong idea, follow a mistaken course of action or investigation, etc

Etymology: 19c, originally US: from raccoon-hunting, in which dogs are used to locate raccoons up in the trees

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon beorcan.

Phrasal Verb: bark out something

To speak it loudly and sharply.

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bark²
noun

1. bot.
The tough protective outer layer consisting mainly of dead cells, that covers the stems and roots of woody plants, eg trees.
Thesaurus: shell, case, crust, husk, rind, cortex, skin, hide, pelt, coat.

verb barked, barking

1. To scrape or rub off the skin from (one's leg, etc).

Example: barked her shin when she fell
2. To strip or remove the bark from (a tree, etc).

Etymology: 14c: from Norse börkr.