scuff

n. [ Cf. D. schoft shoulder, Goth. skuft hair of the head. Cf. Scruff. ] The back part of the neck; the scruff. [ Prov. Eng. ] Ld. Lytton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Scuffed p. pr. & vb. n. Scuffing. ] [ See Scuffle. ] To walk without lifting the feet; to proceed with a scraping or dragging movement; to shuffle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A rough, haphazard struggle, or trial of strength; a disorderly wrestling at close quarters. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, a confused contest; a tumultuous struggle for superiority; a fight. [ 1913 Webster ]

The dog leaps upon the serpent, and tears it to pieces; but in the scuffle the cradle happened to be overturned. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A child's pinafore or bib. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A garden hoe. [ Prov. Eng. ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Scuffled p. pr. & vb. n. Scuffling ] [ Freq. of scuff, v.i.; cf. Sw. skuffa to push, shove, skuff a push, Dan. skuffe a drawer, a shovel, and E. shuffle, shove. See Shove, and cf. Shuffle. ] 1. To strive or struggle with a close grapple; to wrestle in a rough fashion. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, to strive or contend tumultuously; to struggle confusedly or at haphazard. [ 1913 Webster ]

A gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantage in the field, in an orderly way, than scuffle with an undisciplined rabble. Eikon Basilike. [ 1913 Webster ]