cathead

English

noun
Definitions
  • (nautical) A heavy piece of timber projecting from each side of the bow of a ship for holding anchors which were fitted with a stock in position for letting go or for securing after weighing.
  • Similar rigging on the outside of a building.

Etymology

Compound from English cat (former derogatory term for a person) + English head (-hood, noun, hood, foremost, or leading part, topmost, suffix indicating a fan enthusiast).

Origin

English

head

Gloss

-hood, noun, hood, foremost, or leading part, topmost, suffix indicating a fan enthusiast

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms