From Anglo-Norman 'an croiz' (in cross), describing crosswise movement across a space.
From one side to the other of something.
From Anglo-Norman 'an croiz' meaning 'in cross,' literally describing movement in a cross-wise direction. The 'a-' prefix is a reduced form of 'on.' Key roots: crux (Latin: "cross").
The word literally means 'on cross' — describing the path you take when you cross something at an angle.