† ˈcrathon, craton Obs.
Also 4 craþayn, crayon (? craþon), crathan.
[Of uncertain form and obscure etymology: app. the same in meaning as crachoun, though the forms of both words seem well established.]
A term of depreciation: (app.) Craven, caitiff.
| c 1340 Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 1773 He cared for his cortaysye, lest craþayn he were. c 1400 Melayne 680 He saide: ‘Allas, sir Charllyone, That thou thus sone be comes a crayon’. a 1400–50 Alexander 3078, I þat was straȝt to þe sternes am streken now to grond, Now craton, now caitefe [Dubl. MS. Nowe a crathan and a Knaffe], now am I kast vndire. |