\Cat's"-paw`\, n.
1. (Naut.)
   (a) A light transitory air which ruffles the surface of
       the water during a calm, or the ripples made by such a
       puff of air.
   (b) A particular hitch or turn in the bight of a rope,
       into which a tackle may be hooked.

2. A dupe; a tool; one who, or that which, is used by another
   as an instrument to a accomplish his purposes.

Note: In this sense the term refers to the fable of the
      monkey using the cat's paw to draw the roasting
      chestnuts out of the fire.