from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Scramble \Scram"ble\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Scrambled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Scrambling}.] [Freq. of Prov. E. scramb to rake
together with the hands, or of scramp to snatch at. cf.
{Scrabble}.]
1. To clamber with hands and knees; to scrabble; as, to
scramble up a cliff; to scramble over the rocks.
[1913 Webster]
2. To struggle eagerly with others for something thrown upon
the ground; to go down upon all fours to seize something;
to catch rudely at what is desired.
[1913 Webster]
Of other care they little reckoning make,
Than how to scramble at the shearer's feast.
--Milton.
[1913 Webster]