1. The angle formed by the parting of two legs or branches; a fork; the point where a trunk divides; as, the crotch of a tree.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: A stanchion or post of wood or iron, with two arms for supporting a boom, spare yards, etc.; — called also crane and crutch. Totten.

CROTCH CHAIN
Crotch chain. (Logging)

Defn: A form of tackle for loading a log sideways on a sled, skidway, etc.

CROTCHED
Crotched (krcht), a.

1. Having a crotch; forked.

2. Cross; peevish. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

CROTCHET
Crotch"et (krch"t; 224), n. Etym: [F. crochet, prop., a little hook,
a dim. from the same source as croc hook. See Crook, and cf. Crochet,
Crocket, Crosier.]

1. A forked support; a crotch. The crotchets of their cot in columns rise. Dryden.