1903 in research and accounting, from the verbal phrase, from cross (adv.) + check (v.1). As a verb in hockey, "obstruct by holding one's stick across an opponent," from 1901; as a noun by 1968. Related: Cross-checked; cross-checking.
cross-beam
crossbones
crossbow
cross-breed
cross-bun
cross-check
cross-country
cross-current
cross-cut
cross-dressing
crossed