During a forum Thursday, McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, was asked whether he had once used a vulgar term for female genitalia to refer to his wife, The Des Moines (Iowa) Register reported.

In the 2008 book, "The Real McCain," author Cliff Schecter said McCain used the word in an exchange with his wife, Cindy, in 1992.

The questioner at the forum, identified as Marty Parrish of Clive, Iowa, drew gasps from the audience when he asked: "This question goes to mental health and mental healthcare. Previously I've been married to a woman that was verbally abusive to me. Is it true that you called your wife a (expletive)?"

McCain answered: "Now, now. You don't want to … Um, you know that's the great thing about town hall meetings, sir, but we really don't, there's people here who don't respect that kind of language. So I'll move on to the next questioner in the back."

The audience applauded McCain's handling of the question, the newspaper said.

Parrish, who had checked into the event as a member of the press, was questioned by Secret Service, but not charged.