tomcat
noun
- male cat
Wiktionary
noun
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.
- A tom (male cat).
- A promiscuous man.
- 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.
verb
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.
- To prowl for sexual gratification.
“He would not go roaming the streets tom-catting like Mr Schick.”