Crone (kr?n), n. [OD. kronie, karonie, an old sheep, OF. carogne, F. charogne, carrion (also F. carogne illnatured woman.). See Carrion, and Crony.]
1.
An old ewe.
[Obs.]
Tusser.
2.
An old woman; -- usually in contempt.
But still the crone was constant to her note.
Dryden.
3.
An old man; especially, a man who talks and acts like an old woman.
[R.]
The old crone [a negro man] lived in a hovel, . . . which his master had given him.
W. Irving.
A few old battered crones of office.
Beaconsfield.
© Webster 1913.