ratcatcher

[ rat-kach-er ]

noun

1. a person, animal, or thing that catches and exterminates rats, especially a person whose business it is to rid a property of rats.
2. Chiefly British. an informal fox-hunting costume, as a tweed jacket and tan riding breeches.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratcatcher¹

First recorded in 1585–95; rat + catcher

Example Sentences

A friend of mine used to call it, not inaptly, ‘the ratcatcher style’.

From Project Gutenberg

One day a stranger came saying he was a ratcatcher, and offered to rid the place of the vermin for a sum of money.

From Project Gutenberg

There is associated with Buckingham Palace a most worthy and useful individual called the ratcatcher.

From Project Gutenberg

Everybody can see why in such a vast and generally untenanted barrack, there should be a ratcatcher.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no reason whatever why a whole evening should not be spent in the discussion of the ratcatcher's salary.

From Project Gutenberg