crepitation

crepitate: v. to make a series of small, sharp, rapidly repeating explosions or sounds, as salt in fire, a snake rattling, to crackle
[kREP'-uh-tate] (L. crepitare to crackle, v. intensive of crepare to crack)

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crepiation: [-TAY'-shun] act of cepitating; cracking, a crackling noise
Webster's International Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition, 1955.

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