Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CRA'VEN, or CRA'VENT, n. [or CRA'VANT. Qu. from crave, that is, one who begs for his life, when vanquished.]

1. A word of obloquy, used formerly by one vanquished in trial by battle, and yielding to the conqueror. Hence, a recreant; a coward; a weak-hearted, spiritless fellow. – Shak.
2. A vanquished, dispirited cock. – Shak.