Plaintive sounds (5)
I believe the answer is:
moans
'plaintive sounds' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for moans that I've seen before include "- - and groans" , "Expressions of unhappiness" , "Mournful sounds" , "Trivial complaints" , "Grumbles" .)