A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sculk, v. Also: sculke, skulk. [ME and e.m.E. sculkin (Ancr. R.), skoulk (1530), also skowke (1611), appar. of Scand. origin. Cf. Norw. skulka to lurk, lie waiting, Swed. skolka to shirk, play truant.] a. intr. To remain unobtrusively in a place, with the intention of escaping notice; to conceal oneself, as out of fear or cowardice. b. To move about in a stealthy or secret way, so as to escape attention. Also, quasi-trans., to skulk it. c. tr. To avoid, shun. —a. a1400 Leg. S. xxiii 136.
[Than] was tald hyme til That thai ware sculkand in the hil Of Chelyone 1615 Marchmont P. 46.
That his men would sculke and keep from fighting of purpose —b. 1661–80 The Lady Bark.
A herring-boat that sculk'd it by the shoar 1682 Cramond Kirk S. II.
Becaus many profane persones skulks from … one place of the countrey to another —c. c1620 Boyd Zion's Fl. 8.
I'le skulk the place where God hath sent me to
