Answer: ablauts

AnswerCrossword Clue
ABLAUTSVowel changes in verb forms
ablauts(in Indo-European languages) regular alternation in the internal phonological structure of a word element, esp. alternation of a vowel, that is coordinated with a change in grammatical function or combination, as in English sing, sang, sung, song;
ablautsABLAUT, a variation in root vowels of verb forms