Hoot — Defs

01 v. i. To cry out or shout in contempt.

imp. & p. p. Hooted; p. pr. & vb. n. Hooting

1.
To cry out or shout in contempt.
“Matrons and girls shall hoot at thee no more.” — Dryden.
2.
To make the peculiar cry of an owl.
“The clamorous owl that nightly hoots.” — Shak.

02 v. t. To assail with contemptuous cries or shouts; to follow with derisive shouts.

1.
To assail with contemptuous cries or shouts; to follow with derisive shouts.
“Partridge and his clan may hoot me for a cheat.” — Swift.

03 n. A derisive cry or shout.

1.
A derisive cry or shout.
2.
The cry of an owl.
3.
A very funny event, person, or experience; as, watching Jack try to catch that greased pig was a hoot.

Phrases & compounds

Hoot owl — the barred owl (Syrnium nebulosum). See Barred owl.

not give a hoot — not care at all.