scrunt

Etymology 1
Onomatopoetic.

Noun

 * 1) An abrupt, high-pitched sound.
 * 2) * 1894, Robert Barr, "Held Up," McClure's Magazine, 1893-1894 Dec-May, p. 309:
 * Just as they were in the roughest part of the mountains, there was a wild shriek of the whistle, a sudden scrunt of the air-brakes, and the train, with an abruptness that was just short of an accident, stopped.
 * 1) * 1901, David S. Meldrum, "The Conquest of Charlotte," Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, v.171, 1902 Jan-Jun, pg. 128:
 * But Jess would not budge, and all of a sudden I sees a white flash in the dark, and hears a rattle of harness, and a scrunt in the shafts as Jess shook her head clear of the blow.

Noun

 * 1) A beggar or destitute person.

Verb

 * 1) To beg or scrounge.
 * 2) * 1979, Maurice Bishop, Selected Speeches, 1979-1981, Casa de las Américas, pg. 11:
 * Four out of every five women are forced to stay at home or scrunt for a meagre existence.
 * Four out of every five women are forced to stay at home or scrunt for a meagre existence.