Cra″ven (kr?″v'n), a. [OE. cravant, cravaunde, OF. cravant� struck down, p. p. of cravanter, crevanter, to break, crush, strike down, fr. an assumed LL. crepantare, fr. L. crepans, p. pr. of crepare to break, crack, rattle. Cf. Crevice, Crepitate.] Cowardly; fainthearted; spiritless. “His craven heart.” Shak.
The poor craven bridegroom said never a word.
Sir. W. Scott.
In craven fear of the sarcasm of Dorset.
Macaulay.