Other forms: clapperclaws; clapperclawing; clapperclawed
To clapperclaw is to fight by scratching and clawing with the fingernails. Two kids might clapperclaw during a furious argument on the playground.
When you clapperclaw, you fight with your arms outstretched, using mainly your nails against your rival. Sparring cats often clapperclaw too, using their actual claws. You can also use this uncommon word to mean "shower with abusive language." Clapperclaw, combining the original meaning of clap, "to beat," and claw, dates from the late 1500s, and it has become fairly obscure today.