Claw \Claw\ (kl[add]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clawed (kl[add]d);
p. pr. & vb. n. Clawing.]
[AS. clawan. See Claw, n.]
1. To pull, tear, or scratch with, or as with, claws or
nails.
2. To relieve from some uneasy sensation, as by scratching;
to tickle; hence, to flatter; to court. [Obs.]
Rich men they claw, soothe up, and flatter; the poor
they contemn and despise. --Holland.
3. To rail at; to scold. [Obs.]
In the aforesaid preamble, the king fairly claweth
the great monasteries, wherein, saith he, religion,
thanks be to God, is right well kept and observed;
though he claweth them soon after in another
acceptation. --T. Fuller
Claw me, claw thee, stand by me and I will stand by you; --
an old proverb. --Tyndale.
To claw away, to scold or revile. ``The jade Fortune is to
be clawed away for it, if you should lose it.''
--L'Estrange.
To claw (one) on the back, to tickle; to express
approbation. (Obs.) --Chaucer.
To claw (one) on the gall, to find fault with; to vex.
[Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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