Skuff

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. To drag or rub a surface lightly so that it becomes marked, scratched or worn along its edge
2. To brush against something roughly, leaving a slight mark or abrasion on the outer layer
3. To graze or scrape the surface of an object with a light, dragging contact that wears it down

Etymology: "Skuff" is a variant spelling of "scuff," and the pair most likely comes from a Scandinavian source. Norwegian "skuffa," meaning to shove or push, is often proposed as the ancestor, though the link is not firmly proven. A shove or drag across a hard surface fits the sense of a shallow mark left by sliding contact. The "sk" spelling keeps the Scandinavian-looking beginning, while the more common "sc" form reflects later English spelling habits. Either way, the word describes only a light, superficial mark, not a deep cut or gouge.