— scrabbler , n.
/skrab"euhl/ , v. , scrabbled, scrabbling , n.
v.t.
1. to scratch or scrape, as with the claws or hands.
2. to grapple or struggle with or as if with the claws or hands.
3. to scrawl; scribble.
v.i.
4. to scratch or dig frantically with the hands; claw (often fol. by at ): scrabbling at a locked door to escape the flames.
5. to jostle or struggle for possession of something; grab or collect something in a disorderly way; scramble.
n.
6. a scratching or scraping, as with the claws or hands.
7. a scrawled or scribbled writing.
8. a disorderly struggle for possession of something; scramble: After the fumble, there was a scrabble for the football.
[ 1530-40; schrabbelen to scratch, freq. of schrabben to SCRAPE ]