bleating

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
bleat/bliːt/

▶verb

• 1 (of a sheep or goat) make a characteristic weak, wavering cry.

• 2 speak or complain in a weak or foolish way.

▶noun

• 1 the weak, wavering cry of a sheep or goat.

• 2 a weak or foolish cry or complaint.

– derivatives
bleater noun.

– origin OE blǣtan, of imitative origin.