A kind of whistle, chiefly used at theatres, to interrupt the actors, and damn a new piece. It derives its name from one of its sounds, which greatly resembles the modulation of an intriguing boar cat.
Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.
Cat and Bagpipean Society * Cat harping FashionNathan Bailey's 1736 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang
John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes