Middle English Dictionary Entry
craulen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | craulen v. Also crallen, croulen, creulen, crulen. |
| Etymology | ON (cp. OI krafla, Dan. kravle) & MLG (cp. MDu. crevelen). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To swarm, crawl; ben crauling, be crawling (with worms); (b) fig. to drag oneself, walk slowly.
Associated quotations
a
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)139/8 : Ðe fule wombe is crewlinde full of weormes.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6612 : Þaa holes, quen þai þam vndid, þai fand bot wormes creuland [Frf: crawlande; Göt: crouland; Trin-C: crulyng] emid.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)11836 : Wormes creuld [Frf: crauled; Göt: cruled] here and þare.
b
- a1500(a1450) St.Robt.Knares.(Eg 3143)878 : Roberd keped a ryghtwyse reule All tym þat he couth crepe or creule.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)182/42 : Oneths crall I to the kyrk.