Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

Caterwaul \Cat"er*waul\, n.
   A caterwauling.

Source : WordNet®

caterwaul
     n : the yowling sound made by a cat in heat
     v : utter shrieks, as of cats [syn: {yowl}]