crowbait

American  

[kroh-beyt] / ˈkroʊˌbeɪt /

noun

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

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

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Etymology

Origin of crowbait

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crowbait

“You didn’t sell that old gray crowbait of yours, did you, Carl?”

From "The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck

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

From Airship Andy or The Luck of a Brave Boy by Frank V. Webster

"Right there is where my lode of information turns to an old spavined crowbait, and folds its wings, for I've pumped it dry."

From Heart of the West by O. Henry

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 An Artilleryman's Diary by Jenkins Lloyd Jones

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

From Old Man Curry Race Track Stories by Charles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan