Caterwaul \Cat"er*waul\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Caterwauled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Caterwauling}.] [Cat + waul, wawl, to cry as a cat.] To cry as cats in rutting time; to make a harsh, offensive noise. --Coleridge. Caterwauling \Cat"er*waul`ing\, n. The cry of cats; a harsh, disagreeable noise or cry like the cry of cats. --Shak.