Whimpering

[Tanya Shivari]

To [whimper] is a small, insecure noise you make when

[under pressure]
before/after crying
scared
in pain
so excited you wanna scream. not always to good kind of excitement, can be like stress

[whimpering] has nothing to do with being a wimp but can

[Justin Bieber]

Making a series of low, feeble sounds expressive of fear, pain, or unhappiness.

[Sonia]

present participle of whimper