crabstick

American  

[krab-stik] / ˈkræbˌstɪk /

noun

1. a stick, cane, or club made of wood, especially of the crab tree.

2. an ill-tempered, grouchy person; crosspatch.

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crabstick British  

/ ˈkræbˌstɪk /

noun

1. a stick, cane, or cudgel made of crab-apple wood

2. informal a bad-tempered person

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Etymology

Origin of crabstick

First recorded in 1695–1705; crab ² + stick ¹

Example Sentences

Adams, brandishing his crabstick, said, "he despised death as much as any man," and then repeated aloud—     "Est hic, est animus lucis contemptor et illum,     Qui vita bene credat emi quo tendis, honorem."

From Joseph Andrews, Volume 2 by Fielding, Henry

Brave young Egalite reaches Switzerland and the Genlis Cottage; with a strong crabstick in his hand, a strong heart in his body: his Princedom in now reduced to that.

From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas

Whilst the father and mother attempted to comfort her, Adams grasped his crabstick and would have sallied out after the squire had not Joseph withheld him.

From Joseph Andrews, Volume 2 by Fielding, Henry

“Richard Penlake a crabstick would take And show her that he was the stronger.”

From A History of the Cries of London Ancient and Modern by Hindley, Charles