1570s, alteration of scritch (mid-13c., schrichen), possibly of imitative origin (compare shriek). Related: Screeched; screeching. Screech-owl is attested from 1590s (scritch-owl is from 1520s).
screech (n.)
1550s, from screech (v.). Earlier scritch (1510s).
scratchy
scrawl
scrawny
scream
scree
screech
screed
screen
screenplay
screenshot
screenwriter
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