clapperclaw

English

Verb

clapperclaw (third-person singular simple present clapperclaws, present participle clapperclawing, simple past and past participle clapperclawed)

1. (obsolete) To fight and scratch.
   • 1909, John Hookham Frere translating Aristophanes, Acharnians:

     Steady, Birds! present your beaks! in double time, charge and attack,
     Pounce upon them, smash the potlid, clapperclaw them, tear and hack.

2. (obsolete) To abuse with words; to revile; to scold.

Alternative forms

• capperclaw