1741, from Modern Latin scaphoides "boat-shaped," from Greek skaphoeides, with -oeides (see -oid) + skaphe "light boat, skiff;" also "basin, trough, a bowl;" literally "thing dug or cut out," from PIE *skabh-, from root *(s)kep- "to cut" (see scabies). Related: Scaphoidal (1680s).
