CRATCH

Etymology 1

Verb

cratch (third-person singular simple present cratches, present participle cratching, simple past and past participle cratched)

(obsolete) To scratch.

Etymology 2

Noun

cratch (plural cratches)

(obsolete) A grated crib or manger.

(nautical) The vertical planks at the forward end of the hold of a traditional English narrowboat which constrain the cargo and support the top plank or walkway.

Etymology 3

Noun

cratch (plural cratches)

A swelling on a horse's pastern, under the fetlock.

Source: Wiktionary

Cratch (krch; 224), n. Etym: [OE. crache, creche, F. cr crib, manger, fr. OHG. krippa, krippea,G. krippe crib. See Crib.]

Definition: A manger or open frame for hay; a crib; a rack. [Obs.] Begin from first where He encradled was, In simple cratch, wrapt in a wad of hay. Spenser. Cratch cradle, a representation of the figure of the cratch, made upon the fingers with a string; cat's cradle; -- called also scratch cradle.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition