eighty bodies, like pieces of timber, to draw spike-nails, &c.
Also, to direct and manage the great guns.

CROWDIE. Meal and milk mixed in a cold state; but sometimes a mere
composition of oatmeal and boiled water, eaten with treacle, or butter
and sugar, as condiment.

CROWD SAIL, TO. To carry an extraordinary press of canvas on a ship, as
in pursuit of, or flight from, an enemy, &c.

CROW-FOOT. A number of small lines spreading out from an uvrou or long
block, used to suspend the awnings by, or to keep the top-sails from
striking violently, and fretting against the top-rims. (_See_ EUPHROE.)
Also, a kind of stand, attached to the end of mess-tables, and hooked to
a beam above.--_Crow-foot_ or _beam-arm_ is also a crooked timber,
extended from the side of a beam to the ship's side, in the wake of the
hatchway, supplying the place of a beam.--_Crow's-foot_ is the name of
the four-pointed irons thrown in front of a position, to hamper the
advance of cavalry, and other assailants, for in whatsoever way they
fall one point is upwards. The phrase of _crow's-feet_ is also jocularly
applied to the wrinkles spreading from the outer corner of the eyes--a
joke used both by Chaucer and Spenser.

CROWN. A common denomination in most parts of Europe for a silver coin,
varying in local value from 2_s._ 6_d._ sterling to 8_s._ (_See also_
PREROGATIVE.)--_Crown of an anchor._ The place where the arms are joined
to the shank, and unite at the throat.--_Crown of a gale._ Its extreme
violence.--In fortification, to crown is to effect a lodgment on the top
of; thus, the besieger _crowns_ the covered way when he occupies with
his trenches the crest of the glacis.

CROWN, OR DOUBLE CROWN. A knot; is to pass the strands of a rope over
and under each other above the knot by way of finish. (_See_ KNOT.)

CROWNING. The finishing part of some knots on the end of a rope, to
prevent the ends of the strands becoming loose. They are more
particularly useful in all kinds of stoppers. (_See_ WALL-KNOT and
CROWN.)

CROWN-WORK. In fortification, the largest definite form of outwork,
having for its head two contiguous bastioned fronts, and for its sides
two long strait faces, flanked by the artillery fire of the place. Or a
detached work, according to the circumstances of the ground, requiring
such advanced occupation.

CROW-PURSE. The egg-capsule of a skate.

CROW-SHELL. A fresh-water mussel.

CROW'S NEST. A small shelter for the look-out ma