\Scut"tle\, n. [AS. scutel a dish, platter; cf. Icel.
skutill; both fr. L. scutella, dim. of scutra, scuta, a dish
or platter; cf. scutum a shield. Cf. {Skillet}.]
1. A broad, shallow basket.
2. A wide-mouthed vessel for holding coal: a coal hod.

\Scut"tle\, v. i. [For scuddle, fr. scud.]
To run with affected precipitation; to hurry; to bustle; to
scuddle.
      With the first dawn of day, old Janet was scuttling
      about the house to wake the baron.       --Sir W.
                                               Scott.

\Scut"tle\, n.
A quick pace; a short run. --Spectator.

\Scut"tle\, n. [OF. escoutille, F. ['e]scoutille, cf.
Sp. escotilla; probably akin to Sp. escoter to cut a thing so
as to make it fit, to hollow a garment about the neck,
perhaps originally, to cut a bosom-shaped piece out, and of
Teutonic origin; cf. D. schoot lap, bosom, G. schoss, Goth.
skauts the hem of a garnment. Cf. {Sheet} an expanse.]
1. A small opening in an outside wall or covering, furnished
   with a lid. Specifically:
   (a) (Naut.) A small opening or hatchway in the deck of a
       ship, large enough to admit a man, and with a lid for
       covering it, also, a like hole in the side or bottom
       of a ship.
   (b) An opening in the roof of a house, with a lid.
2. The lid or door which covers or closes an opening in a
   roof, wall, or the like.
{Scuttle butt}, or {Scuttle cask} (Naut.), a butt or cask
   with a large hole in it, used to contain the fresh water
   for daily use in a ship.

\Scut"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scuttled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Scuttling}.]
1. To cut a hole or holes through the bottom, deck, or sides
   of (as of a ship), for any purpose.
2. To sink by making holes through the bottom of; as, to
   scuttle a ship.