The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Cantankerous \Can*tan"ker*ous\, a.
   Perverse; contentious; ugly; malicious. [Colloq.] --
   Can*tan"ker*ous*ly, adv. -- Can*tan"ker*ous*ness, n.
   [1913 Webster]

         The cantankerous old maiden aunt.        --Thackeray.
   [1913 Webster] Cantar