scrimshaw

The story

1. Old French · derived fromescremisseor“fencing-master”
2. English todayscrimshaw

The origin of the verb is unknown, but it has possibly been influenced by the surname Scrimshaw. Various etymologies have been proposed (for example, that it derives from scrimshank (“(Britain, military slang) to be idle, to shirk duty”)), but the Oxford English Dictionary does not consider any of them convincing. Following the surname theory, Etymonline ultimately derives the word probably from Old French escremisseor (“fencing-master”). The noun is probably derived from the verb.

First known use, by meaning

• from mid 19th c. To create (a small ornamental handicraft also called a scrimshaw) by carving or engraving on bone (originally whalebone or whales' teeth), ivory, or other materials.
• from mid 19th c. To carve or engrave (bone, ivory, or other materials) with ornamental designs.
• from mid 19th c. To carve or engrave (ornamental designs) on bone, ivory, or other materials.
• from early 19th c. To make a handicraft of scrimshaw.
• from mid 19th c. A small ornamental handicraft created by carving or engraving bone (originally whalebone or whales' teeth), ivory, or other materials, formerly produced by sailors on whaling ships to pass the time on long voyages.
• from mid 19th c. The manufacture of small ornamental handicrafts by carving or engraving bone, ivory, or other materials, formerly by sailors on whaling ships to pass the time on long voyages.