- scuttle (n.)
- "bucket," O.E. scutel "dish, platter," from L. scutella "serving platter," dim. of scutra "flat tray, dish," perhaps related to scutum "shield" (see hide (n.1)). A common Gmc. borrowing from Latin (cf. O.N. skutill, M.Du. schotel, O.H.G. scuzzila, Ger. Schüssel). Meaning "basket for sifting grain" is attested from mid-14c.; sense of "bucket for holding coal" first recorded 1849.
- scuttle (v.1)
- "scamper, scurry," mid-15c., probably related to scud (q.v.).
- scuttle (v.2)
- "cut a hole in a ship to sink it," 1642, from skottell (n.) "opening in a ship's deck" (1497), from M.Fr. escoutille (Mod.Fr. écoutille), from Sp. escotilla "hatchway," dim. of escota "opening in a garment," from escotar "cut out," perhaps from e- "out" + Gmc. *skaut-. Fig. use is recorded from 1888.