caterwaul
[ kat-er-wawl ]
/ ˈkæt ərˌwɔl /
verb (used without object)
to utter long wailing cries, as cats in rutting time.
to utter a similar sound; howl or screech.
to quarrel like cats.
noun Also cat·er·waul·ing.
the cry of a cat in rutting time.
any similar sound.
Origin of caterwaul
1350–1400; Middle English
cater(wawen) (equivalent to
cater tomcat (< Middle Dutch) +
wawen to howl, Old English
wāwan to blow, said of the wind) +
waul, variant of
wail
OTHER WORDS FROM caterwaul
cat·er·waul·er, nounWords nearby caterwaul
caterina,
catering,
caterpillar,
caterpillar flap,
caterpillar hunter,
caterwaul,
cates,
catesby,
catfall,
catfight,
catfish
British Dictionary definitions for caterwauler
caterwaul
/ (ˈkætəˌwɔːl) /
verb (intr)
to make a yowling noise, as a cat on heat
noun
a shriek or yell made by or sounding like a cat on heat
Derived forms of caterwaul
caterwauler, nounWord Origin for caterwaul
C14: of imitative origin