rare. [Cf. Du. krocht, MDu. crochte, crofte, MLG. kruft, OHG. chruft, ad. L. crupta, crypta.] A crypt, vault, cavern.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, XVII. xviii. Thenne he loked in to a Crofte vnder the mynster and there he sawe a Tombe.
1861. Temple & Trevor, Tannhäuser, 88. From low-brow’d caves, and hollow crofts Under the hanging woods, there came … A voice of wail.
1887. Kentish Gloss., Croft, a vault.
Croft, corruption of CARAFE.
1852. M. W. Savage, R. Medlicott, III. xiii. (D.). The Bishop … pushed the croft to the Vicar.
