/kat"euh pil'euhr, kat"euhr-/ , n.
1. the wormlike larva of a butterfly or a moth.
2. a person who preys on others; extortioner.
[ 1400-50; late ME catyrpel, prob. alter. of an ONF var. of OF chatepelose, equiv. to chate CAT 1 + pelose hairy ( pilosus; see PILOSE); - yr prob. by assoc. with cater tomcat (see CATERWAUL); final -er prob. by assoc. with piller despoiler (see PILLAGE, -ER 1 ); cf. CHENILLE ]