SCUDS

Noun

scuds

plural of scud

Source: Wiktionary

SCUD

Scud, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scudded; p. pr. & vb. n. Scudding.] Etym: [Dan. skyde to shoot, shove, push, akin to skud shot, gunshot, a shoot, young bough, and to E. shoot. sq. root159. See Shoot.]

1. To move swiftly; especially, to move as if driven forward by something. The first nautilus that scudded upon the glassy surface of warm primeval oceans. I. Taylor. The wind was high; the vast white clouds scudded over the blue heaven. Beaconsfield.

2. (Naut.)

Definition: To be driven swiftly, or to run, before a gale, with little or no sail spread.

Scud, v. t.

Definition: To pass over quickly. [R.] Shenstone.

Scud, n.

1. The act of scudding; a driving along; a rushing with precipitation.

2. Loose, vapory clouds driven swiftly by the wind. Borne on the scud of the sea. Longfellow. The scud was flying fast above us, throwing a veil over the moon. Sir S. Baker.

3. A slight, sudden shower. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.

4. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A small flight of larks, or other birds, less than a flock. [Prov. Eng.]

5. (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any swimming amphipod crustacean. Storm scud. See the Note under Cloud.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition