WRETCHES
Etymology 1
Noun
wretches
plural of wretch
Etymology 2
Verb
wretches
Misspelling of retches.
Source: Wiktionary
WRETCH
Wretch, n. Etym: [OE. wrecche, AS. wrecca, wræcca, an exile, a
wretch, fr. wrecan to drive out, punish; properly, an exile, one
driven out, akin to AS. wræc an exile, OS. wrekkio a stranger, OHG.
reccheo an exile. See Wreak, v. t.]
1. A miserable person; one profoundly unhappy. "The wretch that lies
in woe." Shak.
Hovered thy spirit o'er thy sorrowing son, Wretch even then, life's
journey just begun Cowper.
2. One sunk in vice or degradation; a base, despicable person; a vile
knave; as, a profligate wretch.
Note: Wretch is sometimes used by way of slight or ironical pity or
contempt, and sometimes to express tenderness; as we say, poor thing.
"Poor wretch was never frighted so." Drayton.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition