death throe

death throe (plural death throes)

1. (chiefly plural) Struggle that is followed by death.
2. (chiefly plural) The final movements or sounds, often erratic, of a living being as it dies.

   Uncle Roger, in his death throes, made a sound and reached outward.

3. (figuratively, chiefly plural) The final actions or output of a machine or other object before it ceases to function.

   As part of its death throes, the printer made a grinding sound and then never worked again.