scrimshaw

[skrim-shaw]

noun

a carved or engraved article, especially of whale ivory, whalebone, walrus tusks, or the like, made by whalers as a leisure occupation.
such articles or work collectively.
the art or technique of carving or engraving whale ivory, whalebone, walrus tusks, etc.

verb (used without object)

to produce scrimshaw.

verb (used with object)

to carve or engrave (whale ivory or whalebone) into scrimshaw.

Origin of scrimshaw

First recorded in 1860–65; of obscure origin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for scrimshaw

Contemporary Examples of scrimshaw

Dr. Scrimshaw died of congestive heart failure on Friday at the age of 95.
When Nutrition Became a 'Thing'
Ilana Glazer
February 13, 2013

Historical Examples of scrimshaw

The great jaw-pans were sawn off, and placed at the disposal of anybody who wanted pieces of bone for "scrimshaw," or carved work.
The Cruise of the Cachalot
Frank T. Bullen
But our carpenter was a famous workman at "scrimshaw," and he started half a dozen walking-sticks forthwith.
The Cruise of the Cachalot
Frank T. Bullen
The laying of bituminous pavements in this country began in 1869, and they were first made of tar concrete, or Scrimshaw.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, Vol. 56, March 1900
Various

British Dictionary definitions for scrimshaw

scrimshaw

noun

the art of decorating or carving shells, ivory, etc, done by sailors as a leisure activity
1. an article made in this manner
2. such articles collectively

verb

to produce scrimshaw (from)

Word Origin for scrimshaw

C19: origin uncertain, perhaps after a surname

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for scrimshaw

1864, "A nautical word of unstable orthography" [Century Dictionary], back-formation from scrimshander ("Moby Dick," 1851), scrimshonting (1825), American English, of unknown origin. Scrimshaw is an English surname, attested from mid-12c., from Old French escremisseor "fencing-master."