Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: <1700, 1700, 1827
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CATERWOUL, CATERWAIL, v. Sc. variants of Eng. caterwaul, found only as ppl.adj. and pr.p., = whining, crying. Known to Bnff.2, Abd.22, Ags.17 1938. [kɑtər′wʌul, -′wel]Sc. 1827 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 304:
Some o' them auld, and grey-headed aneath their mutches, and no a few wi' babies sookin or caterwailin at their breasts.Abd. c.1692 A. Pitcairne Assembly (1722) 26:
Must I give you Money ye Caterwouling, obstreperous Villains?
