Dictionary entry

Cratch

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Cratch (kr?ch; 224), n. [OE. cracche, crecche, F. crèche crib, manger, fr. OHG. krippa, krippea, G. krippe crib. See Crib.] A manger or open frame for hay; a crib; a rack.

Begin from first where He encradled was,

In simple cratch, wrapt in a wad of hay.

Spenser.

Cratch cradle, a representation of the figure of the cratch, made upon the fingers with a string; cat's cradle; — called also scratch cradle.