n.pl. 1 any bison, buffalo, yak, or domesticated bovine animal, esp. of the genus Bos. 2 archaic livestock. cattle-cake Brit. a concentrated food for cattle, in cake form. cattle-grid Brit. a grid covering a ditch, allowing vehicles to pass over but not cattle, sheep, etc. cattle-guard US = cattle-grid. cattle-plague rinderpest. cattle-stop NZ = cattle-grid.
[ ME & AF catel f. OF chatel CHATTEL ]