— caterwauler , n.
/kat"euhr wawl'/ , v.i.
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.
n. Also, caterwauling .
4. the cry of a cat in rutting time.
5. any similar sound.
[ 1350-1400; ME cater ( wawen ) (equiv. to cater tomcat ( wawen to howl, OE wawan to blow, said of the wind) + waul, var. of WAIL ]
Syn. 2. wail, shriek, squawk, yowl.