/skum"beuhl/ , v. , scumbled, scumbling , n. Painting.
v.t.
1. to soften (the color or tone of a painted area) by overlaying parts with opaque or semiopaque color applied thinly and lightly with an almost dry brush.
n.
2. the act or technique of scumbling.
3. the effect produced by this technique.
[ 1790-1800; perh. equiv. to SCUM (v.) + -LE, with intrusive b ]