Obs. [f. CRACK v. + HALTER.] One likely to crack or strain a halter, i.e., to die by the gallows; a gallows-bird; = crack-hemp, crack-rope. Also playfully: cf. ‘rogue.’
It has been suggested that the original sense was perhaps ‘one who has cracked or broken the halter, and so escaped death.’
1566. Gascoigne, Supposes, i. 4. You crackhalter, if I catch you by the ears, I’ll make you answer directly.
1579. Gosson, Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 30. The litle crackhalter that carrieth his maisters pantouffles.
1607. Dekker, Northw. Hoe, IV. Wks. 1873, III. 52. Fetherstones boy, like an honest crack-halter, layd open all to one of my prentices.
