Could it be heard as a hoarse sound? (5)
I believe the answer is:
neigh
'sound?' is the definition.
(neigh is a kind of sound)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for neigh that I've seen before include "heard on the farm" , "Hinge (anag.)" , "High-pitched cry of a horse" , "Equine utterance" , "Whinnying sound" .)