Catted

/kætɪd/ verb

Definition

Past tense of 'cat,' meaning to vomit or to act like a cat; also naval slang for raising the anchor using a cathead.

Etymology

From Middle English 'catten,' derived from the noun 'cat.' In nautical contexts, it combines 'cat' (the animal) with the lifting mechanism called a 'cathead' on sailing ships.

Kelly Says

Sailors had a weird term 'catted' for hoisting anchors using the cathead—it's one of those sailing words that sounds ridiculous until you realize the equipment actually looked cat-like!

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