to scratch or scrape about, e.g. in an attempt to find or catch hold of something

The dog scrabbled at the pile of earth

to scramble or clamber

We scrabbled up the rocky hillside

(often + for) to struggle frantically to get something

The children were scrabbling for leftovers

the act or an instance of scrabbling

a disorderly movement or struggle

a persistent scratching or clawing