/ ˈskʌrələs; NAmE ˈskɜːr-/ adjective
( formal ) very rude and insulting, and intended to damage sb's reputation :
scurrilous rumours
► scur·ril·ous·ly adverb
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from French scurrile or Latin scurrilus (from scurra buffoon) + -ous .