obs. var. of CHAWN sb., chine, fissure, and of CHAWN v., to gape.
1598. Marston, Sco. Villany, I. iii. Cviij. To stop his iawning chaps. Ibid. (1602), Antonio’s Rev., II. ii. Wks. 1856, I. 94. Defyance to thy power, thou rifted jawne.
