scruff

Etymology 1

See scurf.

noun

  1. Someone with an untidy appearance.
    That candidate will never get the job: he's a right scruff.
  2. Stubble, facial hair (on males).
  3. (obsolete) Crust.
  4. (obsolete) Scurf.

Etymology 2

1790, from earlier (1787) scuft, influenced by scruff (“crust”). Related to North Frisian skuft (“back of the neck of a horse”) and Dutch schoft (“withers (of a horse)”), from Proto-Germanic. Compare also Old Norse skopt (“hair of the head”), Gothic 𐍃𐌺𐌿𐍆𐍄 (skuft, “hair of the head”), Middle High German schopf (German Schopf).

noun

  1. The loose skin at the back of the neck of some animals.
  2. (rare) The back of the neck, nape; also scruff of the neck.
    He grabbed his unruly child by the scruff of the neck, and took him home.

verb

  1. (transitive) To lift or carry by the scruff.
    She gently scruffed the kitten who was trying to climb her leg. 2023, Anastasia Ryan, You Should Smile More

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