the word 'squawk' first appeared in english in the early 19th century. it is an onomatopoeic formation, created to imitate the harsh, strident cry of a bird, particularly a parrot or other large bird. this process of sound imitation is a common source of words for animal noises and other sharp sounds. from its original use describing a bird's cry, the meaning extended figuratively to describe a loud, harsh complaint or protest made by a person, capturing the same grating quality of the sound.

the word is considered a simplex, likely formed through onomatopoeia, imitating the sound it describes. it is not productively formed from separate, identifiable morphemes in modern english.