Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
CLAW
I. noun
Usage: often attributive see: clew Date: before 12th century a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal, any of various sharp curved processes especially at the end of a limb (as of an insect), one of the pincerlike organs terminating some limbs of various arthropods (as a lobster or scorpion), something that resembles a claw, clawed adjective clawlike adjective
II. verb Date: before 12th century transitive verb to rake, seize, dig, or progress with or as if with claws, intransitive verb to scrape, scratch, dig, or pull with or as if with claws