To modify a data structure in a random and unintentionally destructive way. "Bletch! Somebody's disk-compactor program went berserk and scribbled on the i-node table." "It was working fine until one of the allocation routines scribbled on low core." Synonymous with trash ; compare mung , which conveys a bit more intention, and mangle , which is more violent and final.
[ Jargon File ]