'To claw away' definitions:

Definition of 'To claw away'

From: GCIDE

Claw \Claw\ (kl[add]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clawed (kl[add]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Clawing.] [AS. clawan. See Claw, n.]
1. To pull, tear, or scratch with, or as with, claws or nails. [1913 Webster]
2. To relieve from some uneasy sensation, as by scratching; to tickle; hence, to flatter; to court. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Rich men they claw, soothe up, and flatter; the poor they contemn and despise. --Holland. [1913 Webster]
3. To rail at; to scold. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
In the aforesaid preamble, the king fairly claweth the great monasteries, wherein, saith he, religion, thanks be to God, is right well kept and observed; though he claweth them soon after in another acceptation. --T. Fuller [1913 Webster]
Claw me, claw thee, stand by me and I will stand by you; -- an old proverb. --Tyndale.
To claw away, to scold or revile. "The jade Fortune is to be clawed away for it, if you should lose it." --L'Estrange.
To claw (one) on the back, to tickle; to express approbation. (Obs.) --Chaucer.
To claw (one) on the gall, to find fault with; to vex. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]