An archaic or obsolete form meaning to provide food and drink, or the practice of catering.
From obsolete verb 'cate' (to provide provisions or food), which derives from Middle English and possibly from Old Norse or Germanic roots. The '-ing' form marks the gerund or present participle.
The verb 'cate' has essentially disappeared from English, but its ghost remains in the word 'cater,' which originally meant the same thing—showing how language naturally drops outdated verb forms.
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