Noah Webster
Curry
CURRY, verb transitive [Latin , to scrape; scrape, from cutting.]
1. To dress leather, after it is tanned; to soak, pare or scrape, cleanse, beat and color tanned hides, and prepare them for use.
2. To rub and clean with a comb; as, to curry a horse.
3. To scratch or claw; to tear, in quarrels.
By setting brother against brother, to claw and curry one another.
4. To rub or stroke; to make smooth; to tickle by flattery; to humor. But generally used in the phrase,
To curry favor, to seek or gain favor by flattery, caresses, kindness, or officious civilities. [Not elegant.]