- scour (v.1)
- "cleanse by rubbing," c.1300, from Middle Dutch scuren "to polish, clean," and from Old French escurer, both from Late Latin excurare "clean off," literally "take good care of," from Latin ex- "out" + curare "care for" (see cure). Possibly originally a technical term among Flemish workmen in England. Related: Scoured; scouring.
- scour (v.2)
- "move quickly in search of something," c.1300, probably from Old Norse skyra "rush in," related to skur "storm, shower." Perhaps infl. by or blended with Old French escorre "to run out," from Latin excurrere (see excursion). Sense development probably infl. by scour (v.1).