subs. (old).—1.  An affected gait (see quot. 1704); (2) a hasty move; a BOLT (q.v.): as verb. = (1) to run off (B. E. and GROSE).

1

  c. 1704.  [J. ASHTON, Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, I. 92]. Shut myself in my Chamber, practised Lady Betty Modely’s SCUTTLE.

2

  1712.  Spectator No. 536. She quitted the shop with an easy SCUTTLE.

3

  d. 1797.  WALPOLE, Letters, II. 476. I have no inclination to SCUTTLE barefoot after a Duke of Wolfenbuttle’s army.

4

  1841.  THACKERAY, Comic Tales, II. 164. But, oh horror! a scream was heard from Miss Binse who was seen SCUTTLING at double-quick time towards the schoolhouse.

5

  1869.  BROWNING, The Ring and the Book, I. 286. No … viper of the brood shall SCUTTLE OFF.

6

  1872.  Brighton Daily News, 4 Sept. The infant SCUTTLED into existence about midday.

7

  1875.  W. H. KINGSTON, South Sea Whaler, xiv. SCUTTLING away at a rapid rate.

8

  Verb. (Christ’s Hospital, Hertford).—2.  To cry out, under oppression, to attract the attention of the authorities. Hence SCUTTLE-CAT = one who SCUTTLES (obsolete).

9

  3.  (venery).—To deflower. Hence, TO SCUTTLE A SHIP = to take a maidenhead.

10

  4.  (thieves’).—To stab.

11

  TO SCUTTLE A NOB, verb. phr. (pugilists’).—To break a head.

12

  c. 1816.  Old Song, ‘The Night before Larry Was Stretched’ [FARMER, Musa Pedestris (1896), 80]. I’ll … SCUTTLE YOUR NOB with my fist.

13

  1820.  P. EGAN, Jack Randall’s Diary, ‘Lines on the Fight between Randall and Turner,’ p. 40. As he offers to SCUTTLE A NOB o’er again.

14

  ON THE SCUTTLE, phr. (common).—On a round of drinking or whoring.

15