scad·dle adjective alsoskad·dle\ˈskadəl\ Etymology: alteration of earlier scathel harmful, dangerous, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old High German skadal, skatal harmful, Gothic skathuls, Old English sceathian to injure — more at scathe 1.dialect England: fierce, wild 2.dialect England, of an animal: badly behaved : skittish