to force out air suddenly and noisily through your throat, for example when you have a cold

to force something out of your throat or lungs by coughing

to make a sudden noise, especially as a sign that the engine is not working correctly

The old engine coughed and spluttered into life.

an act or a sound of coughing(= forcing out air suddenly and noisily through your throat, for example when you have a cold)

an illness or infection that makes you cough often

to have a dry/persistent cough

My cold's better, but I can't seem to shake off this cough.

He had a smoker's cough and nicotine-yellowed fingers.

LEARNit Dictionary