squawk vs wail

squawk

noun
  • A shrill noise, especially made by a voice or bird; a yell, scream, or call. 

  • A complaint or objection. 

  • A four-digit transponder code used by aircraft for identification or transmission of emergency signals. 

  • A warning message indicating a possible error. 

  • An issue or complaint related to aircraft maintenance. 

  • The American night heron. 

verb
  • To make a squawking noise; to yell, scream, or call out shrilly. 

  • To produce a warning message, indicating a possible error. 

  • To set or transmit a four-digit transponder code. (Normally followed by the specific code in question.) 

  • To report an infraction; to rat on or tattle; to disclose a secret. 

  • To speak out; to protest. 

wail

noun
  • Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl. 

  • A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster. 

  • A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish. 

verb
  • To lament; to bewail; to grieve over. 

  • To make a noise like mourning or crying. 

  • To weep, lament persistently or bitterly. 

  • To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish. 

  • To perform with great liveliness and force. 

How often have the words squawk and wail occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )