caterwaul Hear it!

caterwaul definition

cat·er·waul (kat′ər wôl′)

intransitive verb

to make a shrill, howling sound like that of a cat at rutting time; screech; wail

Etymology: ME caterwrawen, caterwawen < cater (prob. < MDu kater, tomcat) + v. wrawlen, wawlen; prob. echoic

noun

such a sound

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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