CRUNCH

I. verb Etymology: alteration of craunch Date: 1706 intransitive verb to chew or press with a crushing noise, to make one's way with a crushing noise, transitive verb to chew, press, or grind with a ~ing sound, process , ~able adjective II. noun Date: 1832 an act of ~ing, a sound made by ~ing, a tight or critical situation: as, a critical point in the buildup of pressure between opposing elements ; showdown , a severe economic squeeze (as on credit), shortage , a conditioning exercise performed from a supine position by raising and lowering the upper torso without reaching a sitting position