\Cat"kin\, n. [Cat + -kin.] (Bot.)
An ament; a species of inflorescence, consisting of a slender
axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides,
as in the willow and poplar, and (as to the staminate
flowers) in the chestnut, oak, hickory, etc. -- so called
from its resemblance to a cat's tail. See Illust. of {Ament}.