from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lurch \Lurch\, n. [OF. lourche name of a game; as adj.,
deceived, embarrassed.]
1. An old game played with dice and counters; a variety of
the game of tables.
[1913 Webster]
2. A double score in cribbage for the winner when his
adversary has been left in the lurch.
[1913 Webster]
Lady --- has cried her eyes out on losing a lurch.
--Walpole.
[1913 Webster]
{To leave one in the lurch}.
(a) In the game of cribbage, to leave one's adversary so
far behind that the game is won before he has scored
thirty-one.
(b) To leave one behind; hence, to abandon, or fail to
stand by, a person in a difficulty. --Denham.
[1913 Webster]
But though thou'rt of a different church,
I will not leave thee in the lurch. --Hudibras.
[1913 Webster]