The Collaborative International Dictionary
scratch cradle
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.