[a. F. croche spur on a fruit tree, etc.:—Rom. *crocca: cf. med.L. crocha hook (Du Cange); from same radical as CROC.] One of the ‘buds’ or knobs at the top of a stag’s horn.
1575. Turberv., Venerie, 54. These litle buddes or broches which are about the toppe are called Croches.
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, I. (Arb.), 23. Chiefe stags vpbearing croches high from the antlier hauted.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Wks., I. 93/1. The hornes haue many dogmaticall Epithites, as … the Burs, the Pearles, the Antliers … and the Croches.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1862), I. II. v. 325.
1884. Jefferies, Red Deer, iv. 71.
