Also 5–6 crymple. [The early form crymple (if y is original) corresponds to Ger. dial. krümpeln to crumple; but crimple (with i) may be in its origin a dim. and iterative of CRIMP v.1; in later use crimple appears to be treated as a secondary form of crumple, expressing something finer and more attenuated; cf. sip, sup, drip, drop, etc.; also crinkle, crunkle. (See note to CRAMP sb.1)]
† 1. intr. To be or become incurved, or drawn together; hence to stand or walk lame from this or similar cause. Cf. CRIPPLE. Obs.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVIII. xxxix. (1495), 801. The token therof is that the hynder membres crymplyth togyders and ben constreyed.
1694. Lond. Gaz., No. 3007/4. Lost … a thick black Nag … stands crimpling on his near Leg behind.
1730–6. Bailey (folio), Crimpling, as to go crimpling, i. e. as if the feet were tender.
2. intr. and trans. To wrinkle, crinkle, curl. Now dial.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 103. Crymplyn or rymplyn, rugo.
1600. F. Walker, Sp. Mandeville, 10 a. The hair was so curled, that it crimpled round like Ringes.
1676. Wiseman, Chirurg. Treat., IV. vii. 329 (J.). He passed the Cautery through the body of them, and … accordingly crimpled them up.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., I. 138. While the flood’s triumphing care Crimpled round its guarded home.
1881. Leicester Gloss., Crimple, to crumple, to wrinkle.
