Shrew

(shrū), n. [Prop. a brawler, from L. Ger. schrauwen, to cry harshly and noisily, to bawl, brawl, D. schreeuwen, N. H. Ger. schreien.] 1. Originally, a brawling, turbulent, vexatious person of either sex, but now restricted in use to females; a brawler; a scold. The man had got a shrew for his wife, and there could be no quiet in the house with her. L'Estrange. 2. [A-S. screáwa.] A shrew-mouse.

[See supra, and cf. BESHREW.] To beshrew; to curse. [Obs.] Chaucer.