skunk

Etymology 1

From an unattested Southern New England Algonquian word, cognate with Abenaki segôgw, segonku (“he who squirts (musk) / urinates”), from Proto-Algonquian *šeka·kwa, from *šek- (“to urinate”).

noun

1. Any of various small mammals, of the family Mephitidae, native to North and Central America, having a glossy black with a white coat and two musk glands at the base of the tail for emitting a noxious smell as a defensive measure.
2. (slang, derogatory) A despicable person.
3. (slang, derogatory) Anything very bad; a stinker.
   On the other hand, many critics contend that in terms of literary quality, many of the multiple-storyline books are true skunks. 1987, English Journal, volume 76, numbers 5-8, page 52
4. (slang) A walkover victory in sports or board games, as when the opposing side is unable to score.
   Coordinate term: shutout
5. (cribbage) A win by 30 or more points. (A double skunk is 60 or more, a triple skunk 90 or more.)

verb

1. (transitive, slang) To defeat so badly as to prevent any opposing points.
   I skunked him at cards.
   We fished all day but the lake skunked us.
2. (cribbage) To win by 30 or more points.
3. (intransitive, of beer) To go bad, to spoil.

Etymology 2

Blend of skinhead + punk, influenced by the animal (Etymology 1).

noun

1. A member of a hybrid skinhead and punk subculture.
   In the early 1980s, certain ex-punks joined them, becoming 'skunks' – a hybrid subculture of skinheads and punks. 2006, Pam Nilan, Carles Feixa, Global Youth?: Hybrid Identities, Plural Worlds, page 192
   2011, Gerard DeGroot (quoting Brown), Seventies Unplugged […] mods, skins, suedes, smoothies, punks, skunks, rude boys, soul boys and headbangers […]

Etymology 3

From skunkweed (“certain highly aromatic marijuana”).

noun

1. (slang) Clipping of skunkweed (marijuana).
2. Any of the strains of hybrids of Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica that may have THC levels exceeding those of typical hashish.