v. U.S. and Canada. [f. CRUST + HUNT v., after crust-hunter, crust-hunting, in which crust- is in locative relation to the sbs., as in plain-dweller, sea-faring, etc.] intr. To hunt deer or other large game on the snow, when covered with a frozen crust strong enough to bear the hunter, but not to support the game, which sink in and are easily run down. So Crust-hunter, Crust-hunting.
1885. Forest & Stream, XXIV. 425. Advocates of January crust-hunting. Ibid. (1888), XXX. 47/1. Thus eluding … the … crust-hunters as well as the hound.
1889. Cent. Dict., Cruster, one who crust-hunts for game.
