scurf

 
Pronunciation: /skəːf/

noun

[mass noun]
  • flakes on the surface of the skin that form as fresh skin develops below, occurring especially as dandruff.
  • a flaky deposit on a plant resulting from a fungal infection.

Derivatives

scurfy

adjective

Origin:

late Old English sceorf, from the base of sceorfan 'gnaw', sceorfian 'cut to shreds'