51�Թ�

Cratch, krach, n. a crib to hold hay for cattle, a manger.—n.pl.

Dictionary of Phrase and Fable," thinks this "the corrupt for cratch cradle or manger cradle, in which the infant Saviour was laid.

An' first of all Tacoma went to cut down the tree, an' him couldn' bear the itch, I mean 'cratch of the tree.

An' William Tell made a law that any man come to cut the tree they must not 'cratch their 'kin or else they would lose the cow.

Other examples are:—"The horse take him mout' fe 'cratch him foot," the horse scratches his leg with his mouth.