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.
Sculking, Scowking, -yng, vbl. n. Also: skulk-, skoulk-. [ME and e.m.E. scolkinge (1297), skulkyng (Manning); Sculk v.] a. Evasion by hiding, or concealment of identity, of the consequences of one's actions; sneaking behaviour. b. The action of moving stealthily from one place to another. —a. 1375 Barb. vii 130.
Thai war fayis to the king And thocht to cum in-to sculking [C. scowkyng] And duell with him 1375 Barb. viii 140.
His worschip suld be mar … turnyt in nobillay To wyn him … in ewyn fechting Then to do fer mar with skulking [C. in scowking, H. into stalking] 1659 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 244.
Mr. Jhon Stewart was either absent of purpose or lurking within the towne of Aberdeen … Mr. Jhon Stewart appearing in thie Assemblie … from his skoulking, thee moderator did intimate thee forsaid sentence unto him —b. 1685 Fountainhall Decis. I 359.
100 men … had left Ireland … and landed in the West of Scotland, and joined with the wild fanatics. … they disappointed the forces by sculking from hole to hole
