stertor

This term is primarily used in medical and clinical contexts to describe a specific type of respiratory sound. It is characterized by a heavy, labored quality, typically occurring when there is an obstruction in the upper airway, such as the pharynx or larynx. While it describes a sound similar to snoring, "stertor" is the precise technical term used by healthcare professionals to document a patient's condition during an examination or in a medical report.

In a non-clinical setting, the word is rare and may be perceived as overly formal or archaic. It differs from "stridor," which refers to a high-pitched, whistling sound, whereas stertor is consistently low-pitched and guttural.