crotch

The word "crotch" is rarely used to refer pleasantly to the region in question. Perhaps because of its earthy, Anglo-Saxon sound, people tend to use it in referring to things they find painful (e.g. kick in the crotch, jamming a pair of scissors into your crotch repeatedly, crotch grab) or shameful (e.g. crotch shot, crotchless panties).

A somewhat less-charged synonym is "groin", which has the added class of being an architectural term.

Crotch (kr?ch; 224), n.; pl. Crotches (-&?;z). [Cf. Crotchet, Crutch.]

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.)

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

© Webster 1913

Crotch, n. (Billiards)

In the three-ball carom game, a small space at each corner of the table. See Crotched, below.

© Webster 1913

Crotch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Crotched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Crotch"ing.]

1.

To provide with a crotch; to give the form of a crotch to; as, to crotch the ends of ropes in splicing or tying knots.

2. (Logging)

To notch (a log) on opposite sides to provide a grip for the dogs in hauling. [Western, U. S.]

© Webster 1913