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crowbait

American  
[kroh-beyt] / ˈkroʊˌbeɪt /

noun

Chiefly Northern, North Midland, and Western U.S.

  1. an emaciated, worn-out horse or cow.

Etymology

Origin of crowbait

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; crow 1 + bait

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Andy curiously regarded the poor crowbait of a horse soon driven into view attached to a ramshackly wagon.

From Project Gutenberg

Evie started and soon returned astride a fine specimen in the shape of a "sorrel crowbait", mane and tail closely shaven and points very prominent; but he could carry the harness, so he would do.

From Project Gutenberg

"Well, how in the name of all that is good, great, and wise did you get that crowbait wished on you?"

From Project Gutenberg

"Why, years ago he had the same old crowbait of a horse, and the boys mocked him when he'd keep using the whip, and telling the beast to get along."

From Project Gutenberg

Old crowbait is scored up and given the word.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.