scrooch

American  

[skrooch] / skrutʃ /

Or scrootch

verb (used without object)

Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.

1. to crouch, squeeze, or huddle (usually followed by down, in, orup ).

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scrooch British  

/ skruːtʃ /

verb

1. dialect to scratch (the skin) to relieve itching

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Etymology

Origin of scrooch

1835–45; apparently variant of scrouge, influenced in meaning by crouch

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scrooch

“I don’t believe it,” sez he; “nobody loves to scrooch down flat with their legs under ’em numb as sticks.”

From Around the World with Josiah Allen's Wife by Holley, Marietta

“All ye’ve got to do, Patsy, is to be puttin’ your boots beside your chair onct more, an’ them legs will scrooch comfortably into them an’ never haunt ye again.

From Leerie by Sawyer, Ruth

Now, Bud," Mr. Cullum said, when the bag was set on the edge of the gully, with its mouth towards the prairie, "you jest scrooch down behind this here sack an' hold the candle.

From Southern Lights and Shadows by Howells, William Dean

"The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."

From Fran by Ellis, J. Breckenridge (John Breckenridge)

Before I could see what would happen next, Mister Shepherd pulled me back from the aisle and had me scrooch down under a bench.

From Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt! by Smith, Jewell Ellen