Definition of "caterpillar" in English

noun

1. The larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm.

   • The bird just ate that green caterpillar.

2. A vehicle with a caterpillar track; a crawler.

3. (mathematics) A set of subtrees of a tree.

4. (obsolete) A rapacious, extortionate person preying upon the community.

verb

1. (intransitive) To move along slowly, drawing one's body up, in the manner of a caterpillar.