Catrigged

/ˈkætrɪɡd/ adjective

Definition

Fitted or equipped with a 'cat' (a device used on sailing ships to lift an anchor), or rigged in a particular cat-related way.

Etymology

From 'cat' (a nautical device, possibly from Dutch 'kat') plus 'rigged' (from Old Norse 'reif' meaning rope); nautical terminology from the age of sailing ships.

Kelly Says

Ship terminology is absolutely packed with mysterious animal names—'catrigged,' 'ratlines,' 'dogwatch'—and sailors' dark humor meant some of these terms had pretty unpleasant original meanings!

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