Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1893-1897
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SKIVE, v.1, n.
I. v. 1. To roam about, prowl about, e.g. like a dog in search of food (ne.Sc., Ags., Lnl., Lnk., sm.Sc. 1970); to pry, spy on (Dmf. 1970); to slide, skate (Bwk. 1950). Hence skiver, a prowler, a prying person (Lnk., Ayr. 1970), a peeping Tom (Dmf. 1970). [skɑev]Kcd. 1893 Stonehaven Jnl. (9 Nov.) 2:
I wad like 'm for naething bit a watchdog; he wid keep aff the skivers that we're tormentid wi'.Bwk. 1897 R. M. Calder Poems 219:
Owre the brae we'll sune gang skivin'.
II. n. A prowling about for what may be picked up, the scrounge (wm.Sc. 1970).
[Also in Eng. dial., to move lightly and quickly, to dart. Of uncertain deriv. The military slang skive, to dodge, shirk, ad. Fr. esquiver, to dodge, slink away, may be connected.]
