Claw (kla̤), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Clawed (kla̤d); 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.
Rich men they claw, soothe up, and flatter; the poor they contemn and despise.
Holland.
3. To rail at; to scold.
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. Chaucer.