scutter n [phonetics unavailable]. Also hind ~, hinder ~, scut. Cp EDD scut V2 'make short, hurried runs,' scutter v 'to hurry off.' The rear webbed flipper of a seal, used for swimming; usu pl; DADDLE n.
1924 ENGLAND 320 ~ s. Hind flippers of seal. 1933 GREENE 72 The slender flexible flippers, both hind and fore, have small inoffensive claws at the extremities—the hind flippers (or 'scutters') alone being used for propulsion while swimming, the fore flippers serving to help in its ice or land progression. T 84-64 We don't call it hind flippers, we calls it hind scutters; it's what he swims wi', you see... He uses 'em for scullin'. T 104-64 We would play with the dattles, or scutters we used to call [them]. T 391-67 An' he hove his hinder scutters; he struck me in the back. 1973 MOWAT 51 'Twarn't long afore our own skippers took hole of the steamers, and when they did, my dear man, didn't they make the seal scutters fly!
