death throe

1. (in the plural)Struggle that is followed by death.

   Todeszuckung

2. (in the plural)The final movements or sounds, often erratic, of a living being as it dies.

   In her death throes, she made a sound and reached outward.

3. (figuratively, in the plural)The final actions or output of a machine or other object before it ceases to function.

   As part of its death throes, the printer made a grinding sound and then never worked again.

regular