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caterwauling - 3 dictionary results

cat⋅er⋅waul

[kat-er-wawl]
–verb (used without object)
1. to utter long wailing cries, as cats in rutting time.
2. to utter a similar sound; howl or screech.
3. to quarrel like cats.
–noun Also, cat⋅er⋅waul⋅ing.
4. the cry of a cat in rutting time.
5. any similar sound.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME cater(wawen) (equiv. to cater tomcat (< MD) + wawen to howl, OE wāwan to blow, said of the wind) + waul, var. of wail


cat⋅er⋅waul⋅er, noun


2. wail, shriek, squawk, yowl.
cat·er·waul   (kāt'ər-wôl')   
intr.v.   cat·er·wauled, cat·er·waul·ing, cat·er·wauls
  1. To cry or screech like a cat in heat.
  2. To make a shrill, discordant sound.
  3. To have a noisy argument.
n.  A shrill, discordant sound.

[Middle English *caterwawlen : *cater, tomcat; akin to Low German kater + wawlen, wrawlen, to yowl (ultimately of imitative origin).]

Caterwauling

Cat"er*waul`ing\, n. The cry of cats; a harsh, disagreeable noise or cry like the cry of cats. --Shak.
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