/skrimp/ , v.i.
1. to be sparing or frugal; economize (often fol. by on ): They scrimped and saved for everything they have. He spends most of his money on clothes, and scrimps on food.
v.t.
2. to be sparing or restrictive of or in; limit severely: to scrimp food.
3. to keep on short allowance; provide sparingly for: to scrimp their elderly parents.
[ 1710-20; skrympa, Norw, Dan skrumpe (orig. * skrimpa, strong v.) to shrivel, c. MHG schrimpfen to contract; see SHRIMP ]
Syn. 1. skimp, stint, save, scrape.