n. & v.
n. 1 a heavy blow. 2 colloq. influence, power of effective action esp. in politics or business. 3 dial. a piece of cloth or clothing (cast not a clout). 4 Archery hist. a piece of canvas on a frame, used as a mark. 5 a nail with a large flat head. 6 a patch.
v.tr. 1 hit hard. 2 mend with a patch.
[ OE clut, rel. to CLEAT, CLOT ]