sculling vbl n OED ~ b: ~ hole (1874), ~ oar (1833).
1 Of a seal, swimming.
T 84-64 [A seal's] scutters is like his fippers. He uses 'em for scullin'.
2 Comb sculling hole: hole at rear of boat through which oar is worked in steering or propelling the craft (Q 67-33); SCORE-HOLE, SCUDDLING HOLE.
sculling oar: long oar used to steer or propel a boat; SCUDDLING OAR.
[1894 BURKE] 90 As he'll caper with his scullin'oar behind... T 172-65 I took a oar an' the other feller took the scullin'oar, and my brother-in-law he stood on the cuddy with the boathook. 1969 Nfld Qtly July, p. 20 ~ a long oar having a pin at one end to enable a twisting motion to propel a boat. 1972 NEMEC 58 The crew [of a skiff] typically numbered seven men, six at the oars and one 'aft' on the 'sculling oar.'
