verb

catch one’s breath with an open mouth, owing to pain or astonishment.

a woman gasped in horror at the sight of him

pant,puff,puff and pant,blow,heave,wheeze,breathe hard,breathe heavily,catch one’s breath,draw in one’s breath,gulp,choke,fight for breath,struggle for air

noun

a convulsive catching of breath.

his breath was coming in gasps

pant,puff,blow,breath,inhalation,inspiration,drawing in of breath,choke,gulp (of air),exclamation,ejaculation