subs. (colloquial).—A vixenish old woman; also a cross-grained person of either sex. [Cf., CATAMOUNT. Probably associated with the colloquial use of CAT, a quarrelsome, vicious woman.] For synonyms, see GEEZER.
1833. MARRYAT, Peter Simple, I. vi. ‘The cursed drunken old CATAMARAN,’ cried he; ‘I’ll go and cut her down by the head.’
1855. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, ch. lxxv. ‘What a woman that Mrs. Mackenzie is!’ cries F. B. ‘What an infernal tartar and CATAMARAN!’
1861. Macmillan’s Magazine, June, p. 113. She was such an obstinate old CATAMARAN.
