from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Scuttle \Scut"tle\ (sk[u^]t"t'l), n. [OF. escoutille, F.
['e]scoutille, cf. Sp. escotilla; probably akin to Sp.
escotar to cut a thing so as to make it fit, to hollow a
garment about the neck, perhaps originally, to cut a
bosom-shaped piece out, and of Teutonic origin; cf. D. schoot
lap, bosom, G. schoss, Goth. skauts the hem of a garnment.
Cf. {Sheet} an expanse.]
1. A small opening in an outside wall or covering, furnished
with a lid. Specifically:
(a) (Naut.) A small opening or hatchway in the deck of a
ship, large enough to admit a man, and with a lid for
covering it, also, a like hole in the side or bottom
of a ship.
(b) An opening in the roof of a house, with a lid.
[1913 Webster]
2. The lid or door which covers or closes an opening in a
roof, wall, or the like.
[1913 Webster]
{Scuttle butt}, or {Scuttle cask} (Naut.), a butt or cask
with a large hole in it, used to contain the fresh water
for daily use in a ship. --Totten.
[1913 Webster]