crunch

the sound of something crunching; "he heard the crunch of footsteps on the gravel path"

a critical situation that arises because of a shortage (as a shortage of time or money or resources); "an end-of-the year crunch"; "a financial crunch"

the act of crushing

make a crushing noise; "his shoes were crunching on the gravel"

press or grind with a crushing noise

chew noisily; "The children crunched the celery sticks"

reduce to small pieces or particles by pounding or abrading; "grind the spices in a mortar"; "mash the garlic"