skitter

• POS: Verb (intransitive)
• HYPHEN: skit=ter

CIDE DICTIONARY

skitter, v. t. [Cf. Skit, v. t.].

 To move or pass (something) over a surface quickly so that it touches only at intervals; to skip.
"The angler, standing in the bow, 'skitters' or skips the spoon over the surface."  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

skitter, v. i. 

 To pass or glide lightly or with quick touches at intervals; to skip; to skim.
"Some kinds of ducks in lighting strike the water with their tails first, and skitter along the surface for a feet before settling down."  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

skitter, v.intr. (also skeeter)
1 a (usu. foll. by along, across) move lightly or hastily. b (usu. foll. by about, off) hurry about, dart off.
2 fish by drawing bait jerkily across the surface of the water.

Etymology

app. frequent. of dial. skite, perh. formed as SKIT(1)