To get back to post 1.: surprised to find the word has a long history.

Cark
Pronunciation [kahrk] Show IPA Archaic.
–noun

1.care or worry.
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)

2.to worry.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME carken to be anxious, OE becarcian, appar. deriv. of car- (base of caru care ) + -k suffix FPRIVATE "TYPE=PICT;ALT="

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House,

cark (kärk )
tr. & intr.v. carked, cark·ing, carks
To burden or be burdened with trouble; worry.
n. A worry; a trouble: carks and cares.

[Middle English carken, from Norman French carquier, to burden, load, from Late Latin carricāre; see cargo.]