U.S. An apparatus fixed in front of a locomotive engine, to remove straying cattle or other obstructions from the rails in front of a train.
1838. Railway Mag., March, 185. This machine is used … in the United States, and is termed a ‘cow or horse catcher.’
1852. June 8, A patent No. 8996 was granted in U. S. to C. Darling … for a ‘cow-catcher.’
1861. G. F. Berkeley, Sportsm. W. Prairies, iv. 60. The ‘cow-catcher’ is a strong iron fence, or set of bars, springing out from the engine in front of both fore wheels.
1884. Philada. Times, No. 3041. 2. Cow-catchers for street cars.
