The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Cates \Cates\, n. pl. [Cf. Acates, and see Cater, n.]
   Provisions; food; viands; especially, luxurious food;
   delicacies; dainties. --Shak.
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         Cates for which Apicius could not pay.   --Shurchill.
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         Choicest cates and the fiagon's best spilth. --R.
                                                  Browning.
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