husk

Back on the veranda he said to Lace gravely, "I do believe that poor child's in the family way." Lace, tracing the pattern of the matting with his boot, husked, and murmured, "Yes — I think so.

The French captain did not immediately respond; he looked at his men with a miserable expression …; still he hesitated, drooped, and finally husked, "Je me rends," with a look still more wretched.