Obs. exc. Sc. [Corresponds to early mod.Du. kriecke (also krieckelinghe ‘aurora rutilans, primum diluculum, matutinus splendor, crepusculum,’ Kilian), Du. het krieken van den dag, LG. (Bremen) de krik vam dage, EFris. ’t kriken fan de dag, the creck of day; f. earlier Du. kriecken, krieckelen (Kilian), mod.Du. krieken, EFris. kreken, kriken, krîken to break or burst through as the day-light. See also GREKING, and SCREAK, SKREIGH, SKRIKE.

1

  Franck thinks the Du. word connected with the echoic root of Da. krekel cricket, the notion of a creaking sound passing into that of sudden breaking, as in crack: see also Doornkaat Koolman Ostfries. Wbch.]

2

  The break (of day); dawn.

3

1567.  Turberv., Eglogs, iii. 251 (T.). He wak’d at creek of day.

4

1710.  Ruddiman, Gloss. Douglas’ Æneis, s.v. Greking,… Scot. dicimus Creek of day.

5

1723.  Ramsay, Fair Assembly, xxiv. Soon as the morning creek Has usher’d in the day.

6

1768.  Ross, Helenore, 46. An’ ilka morning by the creek [later ed. screek] of day They’re set to work.

7