from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Clout \Clout\ (klout), n. [AS. cl[=u]t a little cloth, piece of
metal; cf. Sw. klut, Icel. kl[=u]tr a kerchief, or W. clwt a
clout, Gael. clud.]
1. A cloth; a piece of cloth or leather; a patch; a rag.
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His garments, nought but many ragged clouts,
With thorns together pinned and patched was.
--Spenser.
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A clout upon that head where late the diadem stood.
--Shak.
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2. A swadding cloth.
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3. A piece; a fragment. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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4. The center of the butt at which archers shoot; -- probably
once a piece of white cloth or a nail head.
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A'must shoot nearer or he'll ne'er hit the clout.
--Shak.
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5. An iron plate on an axletree or other wood to keep it from
wearing; a washer.
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6. A blow with the hand. [Low]
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{Clout nail}, a kind of wrought-iron nail heaving a large
flat head; -- used for fastening clouts to axletrees,
plowshares, etc., also for studding timber, and for
various purposes.
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