See quotation, 1839.
1839. “Crusting” is the term applied to taking large game amid the deep snows of winter, when the crust of ice which forms upon the surface after a slight rain is strong enough to support the weight of a man, but gives way at once to the hoofs of a moose or a deer; while the animal, thus embarrassed, is easily caught and despatched with clubs.—C. F. Hoffman, ‘Wild Scenes,’ i. 92 (Lond.).
1860. Deer are taken extensively by a process called crusting.—Gosse, ‘Rom. Nat. Hist.,’ p. 207. (N.E.D.)
