scab
noun
[ skab ]
• a dry, rough protective crust that forms over a cut or wound during healing.
• mange or a similar skin disease in animals.
• a person or thing regarded with contempt.
scab
verb
• become encrusted or covered with a scab or scabs.
• "I had a cut on my arm that had scabbed over"
• act or work as a scab.
• "two inspectors who scabbed on the last strike were out this week"
• scrounge.
• "she tried to scab a fag off me"
Origin:
Middle English (as a noun): from Old Norse skabb ; related to dialect shab (compare with shabby). The sense ‘contemptible person’ (dating from the late 16th century) was probably influenced by Middle Dutch schabbe ‘promiscuous woman’.
