cat's-paw also cats·paw (kătspô′)
n. pl. cat's-paws also cats·paws
1. A person used by another as a dupe or tool.
2. A light breeze that ruffles small areas of a water surface.
3. Nautical A knot made by twisting a section of rope to form two adjacent eyes through which a hook is passed, used in hoisting.
[From a fable about a monkey that used a cat's paw to pull chestnuts out of a fire.]
cat's-paw