Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CLOUT, v.t.

1. To patch; to mend by sewing on a piece or patch; as clouted shoon, in Milton. This is the sense as understood by Johnson. Mason understands the word clouted to signify nailed, studded with small nails, from the French clouter, and the following words in Shakspeare, “whose rudeness answered my steps too loud,” give some countenance to Mason's interpretation. In this case, the verb clout must signify, to nail, or fasten with nails; to stud.
2. To cover with a piece of cloth. – Spenser.
3. To join clumsily; as, clouted sentences. – Ascham.
4. To cover or arm with an iron plate.
5. To strike; to give a blow. – Beaum. Clouted cream, in Gay, is evidently a mistake for clotted cream.