E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Catted.
The anchor hung on the cathead, a piece of timber outside the ship to which the anchor is hung to keep it clear of the ship.
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“The decks were all life and commotion; the sailors on the forecastle singing, ‘Ho! cheerly. men’ as they catted the anchor.”—H. Melville: Omoo, xxxvi. p. 191.
