crowbait

American  

[kroh-beyt] / ˈkroʊˌbeɪt /

noun

Chiefly Northern, North Midland, and Western U.S.

1. an emaciated, worn-out horse or cow.

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Etymology

Origin of crowbait

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; crow ¹ + bait

Example Sentences

“You didn’t sell that old gray crowbait of yours, did you, Carl?”

From "The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck

Waiting in the middle of a broad avenue of misshapen obelisks, a dilapidated barouche with a low body sagging the lower for debilitated springs, on either side its pole drooped two sorry specimens of crowbait.

From Alias the Lone Wolf by Vance, Louis Joseph

Old crowbait is scored up and given the word.

From The Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56, No. 2, January 12, 1884 A Weekly Journal for the Farm, Orchard and Fireside by Various

Evie started and soon returned astride a fine specimen in the shape of a "sorrel crowbait", mane and tail closely shaven and points very prominent; but he could carry the harness, so he would do.

From An Artilleryman's Diary by Jones, Jenkins Lloyd

"Well, how in the name of all that is good, great, and wise did you get that crowbait wished on you?"

From Old Man Curry Race Track Stories by Van Loan, Charles E. (Charles Emmett)