caterwaul

American  

[kat-er-wawl] / ˈkæt ərˌwɔl /

verb (used without object)

1. to utter long wailing cries, as cats in rutting time.

2. to utter a similar sound; howl or screech.

   Synonyms:

   yowl, squawk, shriek, wail

3. to quarrel like cats.

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noun

1. the cry of a cat in rutting time.

2. any similar sound.

caterwaul British  

/ ˈkætəˌwɔːl /

verb

1. to make a yowling noise, as a cat on heat

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noun

1. a shriek or yell made by or sounding like a cat on heat

Other Word Forms

• caterwauler noun

Etymology

Origin of caterwaul

1350–1400; Middle English cater ( wawen ) (equivalent to cater tomcat (< Middle Dutch ) + wawen to howl, Old English wāwan to blow, said of the wind) + waul, variant of wail

Example Sentences

They’d go to theaters and laugh at the clandestine caterwaul.

From Washington Post • Sep. 30, 2021

His keening caterwaul sounds as if he had flicked the ejector switch but forgotten to undo his seat belt.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 16, 2015

Applause and discreet drumroll please for Sen. Ted Cruz, who has a reminder for the nation in an age of cynicism, caterwaul and clutter: Remember the traditional national narrative, please, he says.

From Washington Times • Dec. 2, 2014

What prevented “Sir Simpleton” from a similar fate was Mr. Moran, hammering at a central riff; his bond with Mr. akLaff held firm, and the saxophonists were free to stutter-step and caterwaul around them.

From New York Times • Sep. 28, 2014

“I wonder why they make that caterwaul noise, all screechy and harsh.”

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate