The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Croud \Croud\ (kroud), n. (Mus.)
   See Crowd, a violin.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Crowd \Crowd\, n. [W. crwth; akin to Gael. cruit. Perh. named
   from its shape, and akin to Gr. kyrto`s curved, and E. curve.
   Cf. Rote.]
   An ancient instrument of music with six strings; a kind of
   violin, being the oldest known stringed instrument played
   with a bow. [Written also croud, crowth, cruth, and
   crwth.]
   [1913 Webster]

         A lackey that . . . can warble upon a crowd a little.
                                                  --B. Jonson.
   [1913 Webster]