retch retch /rɛtʃ/

noun

1. An involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomiting  ( heave , retch )
   an involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomiting
    A bad case of the heaves
   a bad case of the heaves
   

verb

1. () Eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth  ( barf [Informal] , be sick , cast , cat [Informal] , chuck [Informal] , disgorge , honk [Informal, British] , puke [Vulgar] , purge , regorge [Archaic] , regurgitate , sick , spew [Informal] , spue [Archaic] , upchuck [Informal, N. American] , vomit up , boak [Dialect, UK] , boke [Dialect, UK] , chuck up [Informal, British] , chunder [Informal, British] , keck [Informal] , retch , throw up , vomit , vom [Informal] )
   eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
    After drinking too much, the students vomited
   After drinking too much, the students vomited
    He purged continuously
   He purged continuously
    The patient regurgitated the food we gave him last night
   The patient regurgitated the food we gave him last night
   
2. Make an unsuccessful effort to vomit; strain to vomit  ( gag , heave , retch )
   make an unsuccessful effort to vomit; strain to vomit