The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Wheeze \Wheeze\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wheezed; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Wheezing.] [OE. whesen, AS. hw[=e]san (cf. Icel. hv[ae]sa
   to hiss, Sw. hv[aum]sa, Dan. hv[ae]se); akin to AS. hw[=o]sta
   a cough, D. hoest, G. husten, OHG. huosto, Icel. h[=o]sti,
   Lith. kosti to cough, Skr. k[=a]s. [root]43. Cf. Husky
   hoarse.]
   To breathe hard, and with an audible piping or whistling
   sound, as persons affected with asthma. "Wheezing lungs."
   --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]