E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Curst.
Curst cows have curt horns. Angry men cannot do all the mischief they wish. Curst means “angry” or “fierce,” and curt is “short,” as curtmantle, curt-hose. The Latin proverb is, “Dat Deus immi’ti eor’nua curta bovi.”
