To claw off

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Claw \Claw\, v. i.
   To scrape, scratch, or dig with a claw, or with the hand as a
   claw. "Clawing [in ash barrels] for bits of coal." --W. D.
   Howells.
   [1913 Webster]

   {To claw off} (Naut.), to turn to windward and beat, to
      prevent falling on a lee shore.
      [1913 Webster]