† ˈcrow-tread, v. Obs.
trans. To tread (a fowl) as crows or rooks were supposed to do; hence fig. to subject to ignominious treatment, abuse. Hence ˈcrow-trod, -trodden ppl. adjs.
| 1592 G. Harvey Pierce's Super. 6 Who is so forward to accuse, debase, revile, crow-treade another. 1600 N. Breton Pasquil's Precession Wks. (1879) 9 A crauen henne that is crow trodden. 1602 Content. Liberality & Prodigality iv. iv. in Hazl. Dodsley VIII. 366 O thou vile, ill-favoured, crow⁓trodden, pye-picked ront! 1614 Markham Cheap Husb. (1668) 118. 1649 C. Walker Hist. Independ. ii. 8 Cockatrice Eggs laid by their Grandees when they had been Crow⁓trodden by Armies from abroad. a 1652 Brome Queenes Exchange v. Wks. 1873 III. 537 What are thou that canst look thus Piepickt, Crowtrod, or Sparrow-blasted? |