1660s as a shortening of cat-o'-mountain (1610s), from cat of the mountain (mid-15c.), a name aplied to various large wild cats of the Old World. From 1794 in reference to the lynx, puma, or cougar of the United States and Canada.
catalyst
catalytic
catalyze
catamaran
catamite
catamount
cataphract
cataplexy
catapult
cataract
catarrh