Green’s Dictionary of Slang

claw v.

1. [late 16C–18C] to fondle sexually, to masturbate a partner.

2. [mid-19C-1930s] (US Und.) to steal; to grab.

3. [1920s–30s] (US tramp) to arrest.

In phrases

clawed off (adj.)

1. [late 17C–18C] severely beaten or thrashed.

2. [late 17C–19C] suffering from a venereal disease.

claw me and I’ll claw you (also ka me, ka thee)

[mid-16C–mid-19C] an early version of the 20C+ scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.

claw off (v.) [SE claw, to scratch; but note ? pun on naut. claw off, to keep far enough away from the shore to avoid shipwreck]

[late 17C–mid-19C] to thrash, to beat severely; thus clawed off