# cathead

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkæthɛd/

## Definitions
1. A heavy piece of timber projecting somewhat horizontally from each side of the bow of a ship on which an anchor is raised or lowered, and secured when not used, from its stock end.
2. A decorative element at the end of such a timber that often depicts a cat's head.
3. A (small) capstan (“vertical cylindrical machine that revolves on a spindle, used to apply force to cables, ropes, etc.”) or windlass (“type of winch”) forming part of hoisting machinery.
4. A nodule of ironstone containing fossil remains.
5. Ellipsis of cathead biscuit (“a large fluffy biscuit, typically served with gravy”).

## Etymology
The noun is derived from cat + head.
Noun sense 1.1 (“heavy piece of timber projecting from a ship on which an anchor is raised or lowered, and secured”) is from the fact that such a timber traditionally had a cat or lion’s head carved on its end. Noun sense 4 (“ellipsis of cathead biscuit”) is apparently from the fact that the biscuit is similar in size to a cat’s head.
The verb is derived from the noun.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cathead