Obs. Also 5 cloter, clother. [Frequentative and diminutive from CLOT v.: cf. batter, stutter, etc. Cf. also CLODDER, CLUTTER, both app. in their origin variants of this.]
1. intr. To run together in clots, to coagulate. Also trans. To curdle or coagulate. (The two constructions meet in the pa. pple., which was originally intransitive.)
c. 1386. [see CLOTTERED.]
1481. Caxton, Reynard, xxxiv. (Arb.), 100. Moche fylth cloterd in gobettis.
c. 1490. Promp. Parv., 83 (MS. K). Cloteryn, as blode or other lyke [1499 Pynson, cloderyn], coagulo.
1635. Swan, Spec. M., v. § 2 (1643), 119. The matter … meeting with wet vapours … clottereth together.
1700. Dryden, Palamon & Arcite, II. 577. The gore congealed was clottered in his hair.
2. fig. and transf. To huddle together or up.
1537. St. Papers Hen. VII., II. 497. It were goode to examyn the causeis of ther dyspleasors … for yf it be clotterid up in an hobyll shoffe, ther endure amytie and conformytie, but as long as ye shalbe here.
1571. Golding, Calvin on Ps., xix. 1. The heavens … are not clottered together by chaunce.
Hence † Clottering vbl. sb.
1611. Cotgr., Concretion, compaction … curding, clottering, fastening together.
