ˈskəd. ə lˌbət, -kət ə l-, usu -bəd.+V noun
Etymology: scuttle (II) + butt (cask)
1.
a. : a cask on shipboard to contain fresh water for a day's use
b. : a drinking fountain on a ship or at a naval or marine installation
2. : rumor , gossip
started a round of scuttlebutt to the effect that the regiment would arrive soon — H.L.Merillat