Way in which third of wolves utter plaintive cries (4)
I believe the answer is:
howl
'utter plaintive cries' is the definition.
(to howl is to cry out)
'way in which third of wolves' is the wordplay.
'way in which' becomes 'how' (how something is done).
'third of wolves' becomes 'l' (3rd letter of 'wolves').
'how'+'l'='HOWL'
(Other definitions for howl that I've seen before include "Screech" , "Bay - cry" , "Plaintive wolf cry" , "Long cry of dog" , "Cry (with rage or laughter)" .)