Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CROW, n. [Sax. crawe; Dan. krage; Sw. kråka; D. kraai, G. krähe; so named from its cry, G. krähen, D. kraaijen, Goth. hruk, a croaking, hrukyan, to croak or crow, L. crocio, Gr. κραζω, κραξω, κεκραγα. It has no connection with L. corvus, but rook is of the same family.]

1. A large black fowl, of the genus Corvus; the beak is convex and cultrated, the nostrils are covered with bristly feathers, the tongue is forked and cartilaginous. This is a voracious fowl, feeding on carrion and grain, particularly maiz, which it pulls up, just after it appears above ground. To pluck or pull a crow, is to be industrious or contentious about a trifle, or thing of no value. – Johnson.
2. A bar of iron with a beak, crook, or two claws, used in raising and moving heavy weights. – Moxon.
3. The voice of the cock. [See the Verb.]
4. The mesentery or ruffle of a beast, so called by butchers.