What is "crithomancy"

Crithomancy \Crith"o*man`cy\ (kr[i^]th"[-o]*m[a^]n`s[y^]), n. A kind of divination by means of the dough of the cakes offered in the ancient sacrifices, and the meal strewed over the victims.

n. divination by interpreting food, usually bread and grain used in sacrifice.

Crithomancy (also known as critomancy) is a form of divination by the study of barley cakes in hope of drawing omens from them. The paste of cakes which are offered in sacrifice is closely examined, and the sought-for answers are drawn from the flour which is spread upon them.

The term crithomancy (from Greek κριθή krithḗ) is also used for divination by cereal grains.