Royal Navy slang for boots issued by the navy — 'crabs' being slang for the items supplied by the purser (the ship's supply officer). The purser was responsible for distributing clothing and equipment, and items he issued were sometimes considered inferior or uncomfortable. 'Crabs' may reference the shape of the boots or their tendency to pinch.
He complained that his purser's crabs gave him blisters on the first march.
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(UK, naval, _, slang) Boots issued by the navy.
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