Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Hiss \Hiss\ v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Hissed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Hissing}.] [AS. hysian; prob. of imitative origin?; cf. LG.
   hissen, OD. hisschen.]
   1. To make with the mouth a prolonged sound like that of the
      letter s, by driving the breath between the tongue and the
      teeth; to make with the mouth a sound like that made by a
      goose or a snake when angered; esp., to make such a sound
      as an expression of hatred, passion, or disapproval.

            The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee.
                                                  --Ezek. xxvii.
                                                  36.

   2. To make a similar noise by any means; to pass with a
      sibilant sound; as, the arrow hissed as it flew.

            Shod with steel, We hissed along the polished ice.
                                                  --Wordsworth.

Hissing \Hiss"ing\, n.
   1. The act of emitting a hiss or hisses.

   2. The occasion of contempt; the object of scorn and
      derision. [Archaic]

            I will make this city desolate, and a hissing.
                                                  --Jer. xix. 8.

Source : WordNet®

hissing
     adj : noisy sound like a sustained `s'; "`hissing' is the sound a
           snake makes"
     n : a fricative sound (especially as an expression of
         disapproval); "the performers could not be heard over the
         hissing of the audience" [syn: {hiss}, {sibilation}]