Made loud, wailing cries or shrieks, often in a harsh or unpleasant way.
From Middle English 'caterwaulen,' likely from Old Norse 'katarvaula' or imitative of cat sounds. The word has been associated with the sound of fighting cats since at least the 15th century, and evolved to mean any loud, discordant noise or complaint.
Medieval writers actually used this word to describe the terrible noise of fighting cats, and people were so familiar with that sound that 'caterwaul' became their go-to word for any loud, obnoxious yowling—whether from cats or humans complaining dramatically!
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