Definition of "quaw" []

• A quagmire. (noun)
• A hole from which peat has been dug. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "Now, the fiddle and the quaw sticks were abandoned, and the light, carnal song gave way to"
• "Previously, the plantation resounded with the sounds of jollity - the merry strains of the fiddle, the measured beat of the "quaw sticks," and the rhythmical shuffling and patting of the feet in the Ethiopian jig."
• "The bodies of these four young melt were chiefly naked, with no other dress upon them than a beautiful kelt (or quartz-quaw), around the waist, made ofeagles quills and ermine, and very splendid head-dresses made ot the same materials."