Real Dictionary

crackle
verb: If something crackles, it makes a rapid series of short, harsh noises.

crackle in American English
a succession of cracking sounds
to crush or break with cracking sounds
to make a succession of slight, sharp, popping sounds, as of dry wood burning
intransitive verb: to make slight, sudden, sharp noises, rapidly repeated
noun: the act of crackling
transitive verb: to cause to crackle

crackle in British English
noun: the act or sound of crackling
verb: to make or cause to make a series of slight sharp noises, as of paper being crushed or of a wood fire burning