Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CLAW, v.t. [Sax. clawen.]

1. To pull, tear or scratch with the nails. – Shak. South.
2. To scratch or tear in general; to tickle. – Shak. Hudibras.
3. To flatter. [Obs.] – Shak. To claw off or away, to scold or rail at. – L'Estrange. #2. In seamanship, to turn to windward and beat, to prevent falling on a lee shore. #3. In vulgar language, to scratch away; to get off or escape.