scantle I. scantletransitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: freq. of scant (IV) 1.obsolete: to cut down the supply of 2.[probably back-formation from scantling (I) ]obsolete: to adjust to a standard of measure II. scan·tle\ˈskantəl\noun (-s) Etymology: probably from scantle (I) 1.obsolete: a small portion : scantling 2.: a gage for measuring slates