Gasp — Defs

01 v. i. To open the mouth wide in catching the breath, or in laborious respiration; to labor for breath; to respire convulsively; to pant violently.

imp. & p. p. Gasped; p. pr. & vb. n. Gasping

1.
To open the mouth wide in catching the breath, or in laborious respiration; to labor for breath; to respire convulsively; to pant violently.
“She gasps and struggles hard for life.” — Lloyd.
2.
To pant with eagerness; to show vehement desire.
“Quenching the gasping furrows' thirst with rain.” — Spenser.

02 v. t. To emit or utter with gasps; -- with forth, out, away, etc.

1.
To emit or utter with gasps; -- with forth, out, away, etc.
“And with short sobs he gasps away his breath.” — Dryden.

03 n. The act of opening the mouth convulsively to catch the breath; a labored respiration; a painful catching of the breath.

1.
The act of opening the mouth convulsively to catch the breath; a labored respiration; a painful catching of the breath.

Phrases & compounds

At the last gasp — at the point of death.