Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CARP, v.i. [L. carpo, to seize, catch, pick; It. carpire; Sp. and Port. carpir, to tear or scratch. See Carve.]

Literally to snap or catch at, or to pick. Hence, to censure, cavil, or find fault, particularly without reason, or petulantly; followed by at. No, not a tooth or nail to scratch, / And at my actions carp and catch. – Herbert.