If a person or animal caterwauls, they make a loud, high, unpleasant noise like the noise that cats make when they fight. shrieking and caterwauling in mock distress. = wail Caterwaul is also a noun. blood-curdling caterwauls. + caterwauling cat·er·waul·ing high-pitched moaning and caterwauling. = wailing. to make a loud high unpleasant noise like the sound a cat makes (cat + waul (15-20 centuries) (from the sound))