a metal frame on the front of a locomotive to clear the track of animals or other obstructions
cowcatcher in American English
(ˈkaʊˌkætʃər)
US
noun
pilot (sense 5)
cowcatcher in American English
(ˈkauˌkætʃər)
noun
a triangular frame at the front of a locomotive, esp. a steam locomotive, designed for clearing the track of obstructions
Also called: pilot
Word origin
[1830–40, Amer.; cow1 + catcher]This word is first recorded in the period 1830–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: baby talk, grid, nationalism, rococo, showcase