whisper

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
whisper/ˈwɪspə(r)/

▶verb speak very softly using one's breath rather than one's throat.

■ literary rustle or murmur softly.

■ (be whispered) be rumoured.

▶noun

• 1 a whispered word or phrase, or a whispering tone of voice.

  ■ literary a soft rustling or murmuring sound.

  ■ a rumour or piece of gossip.

• 2 a slight trace; a hint: a whisper of interest.

– derivatives
whisperer noun,
whispery adjective.

– origin OE hwisprian, of Gmc origin, from the imitative base of whistle.