The old women cackled loudly in the corner about their neighbor's private affairs.

cackled 是动词 cackle 的过去式。cackle 原指母鸡下蛋后发出的咯咯叫声，引申为形容人发出刺耳、尖锐的笑声，常带有八卦、幸灾乐祸或粗鲁的意味。