gasp
v.v. to take a quick, short breath because you are surprised, shocked, or in pain.
v. to inhale suddenly and audibly, typically as a reflexive response to shock, physical exertion, or intense emotion.
She let out a loud gasp when she saw the surprise.
The audience began to gasp as the magician appeared to vanish into thin air right before their eyes.
He struggled to gasp for air after the sprint, his lungs burning from the sudden intensity of the race against the clock.
From Middle English gaspen, gayspen (“to gape, outbreathe”), related to and likely derived from Old Norse geispa (“to yawn”) or its descendant Danish gispe, which may be related to gapa (“to gape”).
Often followed by the preposition 'at' or 'in' (e.g., 'gasp at the news', 'gasp in horror').