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 Webster, Frank V.

"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 Henry, O.

"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 Fred Fenton on the Track or, The Athletes of Riverport School by Chapman, Allen

"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 Van Loan, Charles E. (Charles Emmett)