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

“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

“Oh,” sez he, “I mean to do it sly; I could scrooch down and pretend to be fixin’ my shues.”

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

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

When they put out a hand to feel her condition she would "scrooch" down her back, or bend this way or that, as if the hand were a branding-iron.

From Birds and Poets : with Other Papers by Burroughs, John

Do ye think, Sandy, that ye could scrooch out o' bed an' hump yerself over to them?

From The Primrose Ring by Sawyer, Ruth