An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kropzeug

by Friedrich Kluge

Kropzeug, n., ‘rogues,’ a LG. word, formed from LG. krôp (comp. kriechen), ‘crawling creature, small cattle,’ but this is not quite certain. Others connect it with the preceding word Kropf, which also signifies in Suab. and Bav. ‘small, crippled creature, little man.’