Main Entry:

ca·ter

Pronunciation:

\ˈkā-tər\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

obsolete cater buyer of provisions, from Middle English catour, short for acatour, from Anglo-French, from acater to buy — more at cate

Date:

1580

intransitive verb 1 : to provide a supply of food 2 : to supply what is required or desired <catering to middle-class tastes> transitive verb : to provide food and service for <catered the banquet>

— ca·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun