scutch

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

scutch, v. t. [See Scotch to cut slightly.].

•  To beat or whip; to drub.  [1913 Webster]
•  To separate the woody fiber from (flax, hemp, etc.) by beating; to swingle.  [1913 Webster]
•  To loosen and dress the fiber of (cotton or silk) by beating; to free (fibrous substances) from dust by beating and blowing.  [1913 Webster]

Scutching machine, a machine used to scutch cotton, silk, or flax; -- called also batting machine.

scutch, n. 

•  A wooden instrument used in scutching flax and hemp.  [1913 Webster]
•  The woody fiber of flax; the refuse of scutched flax.  Cuthbert Bede.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

scutch, v.tr. dress (fibrous material, esp. retted flax) by beating.

Derivative

scutcher n.

Etymology

OF escouche, escoucher (dial.), escousser, ult. f. L excutere excuss- (as EX-(1), quatere shake)