Definition of coughs:
(v) :
(intransitive) To push air from the lungs through the glottis (causing a short, explosive sound) and out through the mouth, usually to expel something blocking or irritating the airway.
(n) :
A sudden, often involuntary expulsion of air from the lungs through the glottis (causing a short, explosive sound), and out through the mouth.
(v) :
(intransitive) To make a noise like a cough.
(v) :
(transitive, medicine) Sometimes followed by up: to force (something) out of the lungs or throat by pushing air from the lungs through the glottis (causing a short, explosive sound), and out through the mouth.
(v) :
(transitive, medicine) To cause (oneself or something) to be in a certain condition in the manner described in etymology 1, sense 1.1.
(v) :
(transitive, medicine) To express (words, etc.) in the manner described in etymology 1, sense 1.1.