cronies

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

crony \cro"ny\ (kr[=o]"n[y^]), n.; pl. Cronies (kr[=o]"n[i^]z). [Orig., an old woman. See Crone.]

1.A crone. [Obs.] "Marry not an old crony." --Burton. [1913 Webster]

2.An intimate companion; a familiar friend. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

He soon found his former cronies, though all rather the worse for the wear and tear of time.— W. Irving.[1913 Webster]