eke 1 
(ēk)
(ēk)tr.v. eked, ek·ing, ekes
1. To supplement with great effort. Used with out: eked out an income by working two jobs.
2. To get with great effort or strain. Used with out: eke out a bare existence from farming in an arid area.
3. To make (a supply) last by practicing strict economy. Used with out.
[Middle English eken, to increase, from Old English ēcan; see aug- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]