[F. la the + crosse a hooked stick.] A North American game at ball, introduced into England from Canada. In the general arrangements it resembles hockey or football, but the ball is a small one, driven and caught with a CROSSE.
[1763. A. Henry, Trav., The Indians call the game baggatiway. By the French in Canada it is named ‘le jeu de la crosse.’
1805. Pike, Sources Mississ. (1810), 18. Passed … a prairie called Le Cross, from a game of ball played frequently on it by the Sioux Indians.]
1867. (title) Laws of La Crosse.
1884. S. E. Dawson, Hand-bk. Canada, 225. Lacrosse is the national game of Canada, practised by the Indians long previous to the arrival of Europeans.
b. attrib., as lacrosse-man; lacrosse-stick, = CROSSE.
1882. Sun, 14 May, 6/5. The lacrosse men greeted this with hisses and groans.
Hence Lacrosser, one who plays at lacrosse.
1884. Sporting Times, 9 June, 3/5. The lacrossers of the South [of England].
