Funny cackler makes crepitation (7)
I believe the answer is:
crackle
'crepitation' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'funny cackler' is the wordplay.
'funny' indicates anagramming the letters.
'cackler' is an anagram of 'CRACKLE'.
'makes' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for crackle that I've seen before include "Sound as of dry twigs burning" , "Sound like a log fire" , "Loud rustling" , "sort of porcelain" , "Make the sound of a fire" .)