Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CA'TER, v.i. [In It. cattare is to get; accattare, to beg or borrow. In Fr. acheter is to buy; Norm. acat, a buying. The Fr. quêter, for quester, to beg, seems to be a different word. See Caterer.]

To provide food; to buy or procure provisions; followed by for; as, to cater for the sparrow. – Shak.