Scut"tle, v. i. [For scuddle, fr. scud.] To run with affected
precipitation; to hurry; to bustle; to scuddle.
With the first dawn of day, old Janet was scuttling about the house
to wake the baron.
Sir W. Scott.
Scut"tle, n. A quick pace; a short run. Spectator.
Scut"tle (?), n. [OF. escoutille, F. éscoutille, cf. Sp. escotilla;
probably akin to Sp. escotar to cut a thing so as to make it fit, to
hollow a garment about the neck, perhaps originally, to cut a
bosom-shaped piece out, and of Teutonic origin; cf. D. schoot lap,
bosom, G. schoss, Goth. skauts the hem of a garnment. Cf. Sheet an
expanse.] 1. A small opening in an outside wall or covering, furnished
with a lid. Specifically: (a) (Naut.) A small opening or hatchway in
the deck of a ship, large enough to admit a man, and with a lid for
covering it, also, a like hole in the side or bottom of a ship. (b) An
opening in the roof of a house, with a lid.
2. The lid or door which covers or closes an opening in a roof, wall,
or the like.
Scuttle butt, or Scuttle cask (Naut.), a butt or cask with a large hole
in it, used to contain the fresh water for daily use in a ship. Totten.
Scut"tle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scuttled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Scuttling.]
1. To cut a hole or holes through the bottom, deck, or sides of (as of
a ship), for any purpose.
2. To sink by making holes through the bottom of; as, to scuttle a
ship.
||Scu"tum (?), n.; pl. Scuta (#). [L.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) An oblong
||shield made of boards or wickerwork covered with leather, with
||sometimes an iron rim; -- carried chiefly by the heavy-armed
||infantry.