from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Claw \Claw\ (kl[add]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Clawed} (kl[add]d);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Clawing}.] [AS. clawan. See {Claw}, n.]
1. To pull, tear, or scratch with, or as with, claws or
nails.
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2. To relieve from some uneasy sensation, as by scratching;
to tickle; hence, to flatter; to court. [Obs.]
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Rich men they claw, soothe up, and flatter; the poor
they contemn and despise. --Holland.
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3. To rail at; to scold. [Obs.]
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In the aforesaid preamble, the king fairly claweth
the great monasteries, wherein, saith he, religion,
thanks be to God, is right well kept and observed;
though he claweth them soon after in another
acceptation. --T. Fuller
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{Claw me, claw thee}, stand by me and I will stand by you; --
an old proverb. --Tyndale.
{To claw away}, to scold or revile. "The jade Fortune is to
be clawed away for it, if you should lose it."
--L'Estrange.
{To claw (one) on the back}, to tickle; to express
approbation. (Obs.) --Chaucer.
{To claw (one) on the gall}, to find fault with; to vex.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
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