tomcat

== English == === Alternative forms === tom cat, tom-cat Tom cat (archaic) === Etymology === From Tom + cat, popularised by The Life and Adventures of a Cat (1760), by an anonymous author, in which the male cat was called Tom. === Noun === tomcat (plural tomcats) A tom (male cat). (informal) A promiscuous man. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:promiscuous man (Southeast Asia) An insect of the order Coleoptera referring to certain species of rove beetles, particularly in the genus Paederus. Known for secreting a potent irritant, pederin, which can cause severe skin irritation and blistering when contacted. ==== Translations ==== === Verb === tomcat (third-person singular simple present tomcats, present participle tomcatting, simple past and past participle tomcatted) (originally US, informal, of a man) To prowl for sexual gratification. ==== Derived terms ==== tomcat around ==== See also ==== caterwaul === Anagrams === Cottam