[crunch] vb [alter. of craunch] vi (1814) 1: to chew or press with a crushing noise
2: to make one's way with a crushing noise ~ vt 1: to chew, press, or grind with a crunching sound
2: process; esp: to perform mathematical computations on "~ numbers" -- crunch.able adj
[2]crunch n (1836) 1: an act of crunching
2: a sound made by crunching
3: a tight or critical situation: as a: a critical point in the buildup of pressure between opposing elements: showdown b: a severe economic squeeze (as on credit) c: shortage "an energy ~"