Caterwaul
/ˈkæt.ər.wɔːl/noun
To make a loud, shrill, wailing cry; especially for cats, or figuratively for people.
Did you know?The word is first recorded in the 16th century and likely imitates the harsh sound of cats yowling, which is why it feels so raw and almost ritualistic.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kat-
“A root associated with cats in later descendants”
Old English
English
catt
“Cat”
Middle English
English
cater
“Cat (dialectal or altered form)”
Early Modern English
English
caterwawle / caterwaul
“A cat’s cry; a harsh, wailing sound”
Modern English
English
caterwaul
“To make a shrill, wailing cry; to complain noisily”