I. verb
also sculk ˈskəlk
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English skulken, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish skulke to shirk, play truant, Norwegian skulka, Swedish skolka
intransitive verb
1. : to move in or as if in a stealthy, furtive, or cautious manner : sneak
Indians skulking through the tall sage — American Guide Series: Nevada
skulk up and down with the air of a charity-boy, a bastard, or an interloper — R.W.Emerson
2.
a. : to hide or conceal oneself often from cowardice or fear or sometimes with sinister intent
children with ice-cream cones skulked in the doorways, like abused cats — Jean Stafford
scrambling over fence rails and skulking in thickets — D.C.Peattie
what bedevilled idiocy skulks behind that arrogant mask — Herbert Read
b. chiefly Britain : to avoid duty : malinger
transitive verb
: to avoid in a furtive or cowardly manner
skulk our obligation to our country
Synonyms: see lurk
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English skulke, from skulken, v.
1. of foxes : pack , group
2. : skulker