-cat's-paw-

n. 1. (Naut.) (a) A light transitory air which ruffles the surface of the water during a calm, or the ripples made by such a puff of air. (b) A particular hitch or turn in the bight of a rope, into which a tackle may be hooked. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A dupe; a tool; one who, or that which, is used by another as an instrument to a accomplish his purposes. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In this sense the term refers to the fable of the monkey using the cat's paw to draw the roasting chestnuts out of the fire. [ 1913 Webster ]