CRUTCH

I. noun Etymology: Middle English crucche, from Old English crycc; akin to Old High German krucka ~ Date: before 12th century 1. a support typically fitting under the armpit for use by the disabled in walking, prop , stay , a forked leg rest constituting the pommel of a sidesaddle, the crotch of a human being or an animal, a forked support, II. transitive verb Date: 1609 to support on ~es ; prop up