catching adj Pronc-sp ketching [OED3 catching adj. 4.a 1603→, “Obsolete”] Nth, esp NEng Obs? Cf catchy adj 1
Of weather: changeable, intermittently rainy.
1790 Deane New Engl. Farmer 124, I cannot but think that, in dry settled weather, this is an excellent method of hay-making. But in catching weather, perhaps a method which takes less time is to be preferred. 1828 New Engl. Farmer (Fessenden) 7.1 neMA, Fifty or a hundred of them [=covers for haycocks] on a small farm in such a capricious, or as the farmers say, catching season as this, would have proved of a utility much outweighing the expense. 1855 Dollar Newspaper (Philadelphia PA) 27 June 4/2, I have often found mine [=a “horse pitchfork”] worth more than its cost in one day of ketching weather. 1857 OH Farmer 6.105/4, It requires less sun to cure hay in this way. This is no small advantage in lowering and “catching” weather. 1872 NH Patriot (Concord) 25 Dec [2]/7, I have known men to leave their hay fields during half a day, in the most catching season, to dicker with a butcher over a dollar in the price of half a dozen lambs. 1885 Galesville Independent (WI) 23 July 1/5, Rather catching weather for haying. 1890 Democrat & Chron. (Rochester NY) 26 May [6]/7, [Advt:] Ketching Weather This. Good time to buy umbrellas. 1909 Harper’s Mth. Mag. 120.87 nNEng, He said . . that it was goin’ to be catchin’ weather like the day afore, when he got soppin’ wet over to the medder lot. 1931–33 LANE Worksheets swCT, Catching weather for haying. 1935 Herald & News (Randolph VT) 18 July 11/6, There is a great hay crop in all northern Vermont but the “catching weather” interferes greatly in securing it.