thud
n.n. a heavy, dull sound made when something large or heavy hits the ground. In a military context, it can also describe a sudden, powerful movement or a heavy blow.
n. a dull, heavy sound produced by a heavy object striking a surface. In a military or informal context, it may also refer to a sudden, forceful movement or a heavy blow.
The heavy boots made a loud thud on the wooden floor.
The soldier heard a loud thud as the heavy artillery shell hit the ground nearby.
The rhythmic thud of the marching boots echoed through the narrow valley, signaling the approaching advance of the armored division.
From Middle English thudden (“to strike with a weapon”), from Old English þyddan (“to strike, press, thrust”), from Proto-Germanic þuddijaną, þiudijaną (“to strike, thrust”), from Proto-Germanic þūhaną, þeuhaną (“to press”), from Proto-Indo-European *tūk- (“to beat”). Cognate with Old English þoddettan (“to strike, push, batter”), Old English þȳdan (“to strike, stab, thrust, press”), Old English þēowan (“to press”), Albanian thundër (“a hoof, talon, a shaft", figuratively, "oppression, torment”).