yodan verb with 'ku' ending (archaic), intransitive verb
to cough; to clear one's throat
Archaic intransitive verb. In modern Japanese, 咳をする or 咳が出る are used instead. Found in classical literature.
古文では「しわぶく」とあり、現代語の「咳をする」にあたる。
In classical texts, しわぶく appears, corresponding to modern 咳をする (to cough).
Modern noun for 'clearing one's throat'. The verb form is 咳払いをする.
The exact derivation is uncertain; it is an archaic native Japanese verb. The kanji 咳 is now read せき in modern usage.