1650s, "a crackling noise," noun of action from Latin crepitare "to crackle," frequentative of crepare "to crack, creak" (see raven). In medical use from 1834 in reference to the crackling sound in the lungs characteristic of pneumonia. Related: Crepitate (1620s); crepitant.
crenelated
Creole
creophagy
creosote
crepe
crepitation
crepitus
crept
crepuscular
crepuscule
crescendo