Obs. Also kreekar. [Origin obscure: perh., as stated in quots., for craker, f. CRAKE, CRACK v., to boast.] (See quots.)
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 119 b. Sir Ihon Walop … had … a M. proper men and hardy … whiche lived alonely on their aventure, wherfore of some they were called adventurers, of some they were called kreekars. Ibid., 127. The Frenchmen knewe well their hardines, but yet thei called theim Crakers, whiche by missoundyng, was commonly called Krekers. Ibid., 145. All the men of warre … wer called home, and the shippes brought into the havens, and many a kreker wist not how to lyve.
1674. Blount, Glossogr. (ed. 4), Crakers were a certain choice number of daring English Souldiers, we had in France in the time of H. 8. by some called Kreekers.
