crepitation crackling noise XVII; (path.) sound accompanying breathing in lung disease, etc. XIX. — F. crépitation — late L. crepitātiō, -ōn-, f. crepitāre, frequent. of crepāre crack, creak, of imit. orig.
So crepitate XVII; see -ATE 3. crepitus (path.) crepitation. XIX. — L.

crepitation (rale) (krep-i-tay-shŏn) n. a soft fine crackling sound heard in the lungs through the stethoscope. Crepitations are not normally heard in healthy lungs.