- scuttle (n.)
- "bucket," Old English scutel "dish, platter," from Latin scutella "serving platter," diminutive of scutra "flat tray, dish," perhaps related to scutum "shield" (see hide (n.1)). A common Germanic borrowing from Latin (cf. Old Norse skutill, Middle Dutch schotel, Old High German scuzzila, German Schüssel). Meaning "basket for sifting grain" is attested from mid-14c.; sense of "bucket for holding coal" first recorded 1849.
- scuttle (v.1)
- "scamper, scurry," mid-15c., probably related to scud (q.v.).
- scuttle (v.2)
- "cut a hole in a ship to sink it," 1640s, from skottell (n.) "opening in a ship's deck" (late 15c.), from Middle French escoutille (Modern French écoutille), from Spanish escotilla "hatchway," diminutive of escota "opening in a garment," from escotar "cut out," perhaps from e- "out" + Germanic *skaut-. Figurative use is recorded from 1888.