cowcatcher

[kou-kach-er]

noun

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

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

Contemporary Examples of 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

Historical Examples of cowcatcher

It was a novel sensation to the youths—sitting on the cowcatcher of the engine.
The Forest of Mystery
James H. Foster
It's against the law to spear fish with a cowcatcher this time o' year.
Gullible's Travels, Etc.
Ring W. Lardner
But didn't I come near to ripping the cowcatcher from that engine?
The Meadow-Brook Girls Under Canvas
Janet Aldridge
As many wounded as possible were piled on to the engine, standing in the cab, lying on the tender, or clinging to the cowcatcher.
London to Ladysmith via Pretoria
Winston Spencer Churchill
And I never had much trouble with the Spiggoties, what of letting them sneak free rides in the tender or on the cowcatcher.
The Red One
Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for cowcatcher

cowcatcher

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