Clout

CLOUT, n.
1. A patch; a piece of cloth or leather, etc., to close a breach.
2. A piece of cloth for mean purposes.
3. A piece of white cloth, for archers to shoot at.
4. An iron plate on an axle tree, to keep it from wearing.
5. A small nail
6. In vulgar language, a blow with the hand.
CLOUT, v.t.
1. To patch; to mend by sewing on a piece or patch; as clouted shoon, in Milton. This is the sense as understood by Johnson. Mason understands the word clouted to signify nailed, studded with small nails, from the French clouter, and the following words in Shakespeare, Whose rudeness answered my steps too loud, give some countenance to Masons interpretation. In this case, the verb clout must signify, to nail, or fasten with nails; to stud.
2. To cover with a piece of cloth.
3. To join clumsily; as clouted sentences.
4. To cover or arm with an iron plate.
5. To strike; to give a blow.
Clouted cream, in Gay, is evidently a mistake for clotted cream.

NEW: Google Full-Text Search of Webster's 1828 Custom Search Search Webster's 1828 Advanced Search

You can also look up words at dict.sorabji.com