What is the meaning of yowl?

noun

• A very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal. )
  • usage: "his bellow filled the hallway"
  • synonyms: bellow, bellowing, holla, holler, hollering, hollo, holloa, roar, roaring

verb

• Cry loudly, as of animals.
  • usage: "The coyotes were howling in the desert"
  • synonyms: howl, wrawl, yammer
• Utter shrieks, as of cats.
  • synonyms: caterwaul