I. ˈklau̇t noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English clūt; akin to Middle High German klōz lump, Russian gluda
Date: before 12th century
1. dialect chiefly British : a piece of cloth or leather : rag
2. : a blow especially with the hand ; also : a hard hit in baseball
3. : a white cloth on a stake or frame used as a target in archery
4. : pull , influence
political clout
II. transitive verb
Date: 14th century
1. : to cover or patch with a clout
2. : to hit forcefully