Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CRUTCH, n. [It. croccia, or gruccia; D. kruk; G. krücke; S. krycka; Dan. krykke; radically the same as crotch and crook.]

1. A staff with a curving cross piece at the head, to be placed under the arm or shoulder, to support the lame in walking.
2. Figuratively, old age. – Shak.