throes
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishthroesthroes /θrəʊz $ θroʊz/ noun [plural] → in the throes of something → death throesExamples from the Corpusthroes• The Jet Ranger arced upwards, a big prehistoric pterodactyl lurching blindly in its death throes.• The rouble zone is in its death throes.• The other prime mover was that the slump is now in its dying throes.• She pitches her proposition in the throes of passionate lovemaking.• His large manufacturing company was in the throes of hard times.• Were we in the throes of a natural disaster?Origin throes Old English thrag “time”