crunch
noun.
the sound of something crunching
he heard the crunch of footsteps on the gravel path
noun.
a critical situation that arises because of a shortage (as a shortage of time or money or resources)
an end-of-the year crunch|a financial crunch
noun.
the act of crushing
Synonym: compaction, crush
verb.
make a crushing noise
his shoes were crunching on the gravel
Synonym: scraunch, scranch, crackle
verb.
press or grind with a crushing noise
Synonym: cranch, craunch, grind
verb.
chew noisily
The children crunched the celery sticks
Synonym: munch
verb.
reduce to small pieces or particles by pounding or abrading
grind the spices in a mortar|mash the garlic
Synonym: bray, comminute, grind, mash