Definition of: caterwaul

(kat′ər·wôl) v.i.
1. To utter the discordant cry peculiar to cats at rutting time.
2. To make any discordant screeching.
3. To argue or dispute noisily.
—noun The cry of cats at rutting time; also, any similar cry. [ME caterwawen <cater cat (cf. G kater tomcat) + wawen wail, howl]
—cat′er·waul′ing noun