>>1961106>>1960429It's possible that big cats make sounds you can't really "hear". Your inner ear picks up the lower frequencies but can't really explain the sound they're making to your brain. Felines in general have very complex vocal systems. They can purr, growl, hiss and have specific meows for communicating with their kin and specific meows for communicating with humans.
It's not far fetched that they could trigger that fear within you when stalking you.