creep v also crape* [phonetics unavailable]. OED ~ v 7 naut (1813-). To drag the sea bottom for submerged nets, etc, with a grapnel or creeper.
   [1772] 1792 CARTWRIGHT i, 234 By the way we crept for a grapnel and road, which captain Lane had lost last year, but could not find them. 1919 GRENFELL² 170 Yet an extended period of 'creeping' the bottom with drags and grapples had revealed nothing. P 19-55 Crape. To drag the sea bottom with a hook, jigger or grapnel. P 245-70 We craped [the drowned fisherman) in. 1971 CHIARAMONTE 36 George 'creeped' for his gear for a couple of hours and then gave up the search, deciding to wait until the tide shifted.

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