The Collaborative International Dictionary
Cratch \Cratch\ (kr?ch; 224), n. [OE. cracche, crecche, F. cr[`e]che crib, manger, fr. OHG. krippa, krippea, G. krippe crib. See Crib.] A manger or open frame for hay; a crib; a rack. [Obs.]
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.
Wiktionary
Etymology 1 vb. (context obsolete English) To scratch. Etymology 2
n. 1 (context obsolete English) A grated crib or manger. 2 (context nautical English) The vertical planks at the forward end of the hold of a traditional English narrowboat which constrain the cargo and support the top plank or walkway.
Usage examples of "cratch".
If the creeps and the cowards that crucify the crelinion, crip after crip, and who furthermore-and we have proof of thishave crossbowed the cradalious ever since the first crackadoes crusaded in the cause of caliphony, if they think they can cajulate and castigate and get away with it, there will be such a cacophony of cabs, cassanings and crinoleum through the criss and cratch of this country, that the crypto-callistans and the quasi-clapperforms will quiver rather than coopt the crokes.