cowcatcher

[ kou-kach-er ]

/ ˈkaʊˌkætʃ ər /

noun

a triangular frame at the front of a locomotive, especially a steam locomotive, designed for clearing the track of obstructions.

Nearby words

cowboy, cowboy boot, cowboy hat, cowboy up, cowboys and indians, cowcatcher, cowden's disease, cowdrey, cowell, cower, cowes

Origin of cowcatcher

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; cow¹ + catcher

Also called pilot.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cowcatcher

And this train, which was just a bunch of cardboard with a cowcatcher attached to it, was pushed into view by a bunch of people.
Ralph Fiennes Discusses ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel,’ J. Lo, and That ‘Seinfeld’ Episode|Marlow Stern|March 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was out on the running board and onto the cowcatcher so quickly that he seemed fairly to fly.
Ralph on the Engine|Allen Chapman
The lower part of the vehicle was crunched under the cowcatcher and the child was almost borne away with it.
Ralph on the Engine|Allen Chapman
Sure enough, on the cowcatcher sat a man, huddled up comfortably.
Ralph on the Engine|Allen Chapman

Don made his way up to the locomotive and found a bigger knot of people gathered in front of the cowcatcher.
And Then the Town Took Off|Richard Wilson
The engine itself had most of the cowcatcher torn off and the headlight smashed.
Frontier Boys in Frisco|Wyn Roosevelt

British Dictionary definitions for cowcatcher

cowcatcher

/ (ˈkaʊˌkætʃə) /

noun

US and Canadian a metal frame on the front of a locomotive to clear the track of animals or other obstructions

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012