E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Scutch.
The scrapings of hides; also refuse of flax. (English, scotch, to cut; Saxon, sceadan.) We have the word in the expression, “You have scotched the snake, not killed it.”
1
“About half a mile from the southern outfall are two manufactories, where the refuse from the London tanneries, known as scutch, is operated upon.”—The Times.
