caterwaul KAT-ur-wol, intransitive verb:
1. To make a harsh cry.
2. To have a noisy argument.
noun:
A shrill, discordant sound.
Caterwaul is from Middle English caterwawen, “to cry as a cat,” either from Medieval Dutch kater, “tomcat” + Dutch wauwelen, “to tattle,” or for catawail, from cat-wail, “to wail like a cat.”
vexatious vek-SAY-shuhs adjective
1. Causing vexation or irritation.
2. A legal action instituted on insufficient grounds and brought solely to annoy the defendant.
From Middle English vexacioun, from Latin vexation, from vexatus, past participle of vexare, to vex.