ratten-, ratting-crookvarr. rackan-crook.1665R. Brathwait Two Tales Chaucer 135 Having laid his Heel on the Ratting Crook, to pass the Winter-night away.1785Hutton Bran New Wark (E.D.S.) 380 A seaty rattencreak hang dangling fra a black randle tree.1866Mrs. E. Lynn Linton Lizzie Lorton of Greyrigg I. xii. 268 Two large iron ‘ratten-crooks’ and several smaller ones, for cauldrons and kettles, hung from the ‘rannel balk’.1974Country Life 17 Oct. 1149/2 A ratten-crook is a pot crane hanging from the rannel-balk which is the wooden beam across and above an open hearth.