c. 1200, from a Scandinavian source such as Norwegian skulke "to shirk, malinger," Danish skulke "to spare oneself, shirk," Swedish skolka "to shirk, skulk, slink, play truant." Common in Middle English but lacking in 15c.-16c. records; possibly reborrowed 17c. Related: Skulked; skulking; skulker; skulkery.
The lonely man skulks down the main street all day
*skribh-
sku
skua
skulduddery
skulduggery
skulk
skull
skull-cap
skunk
sky
skyclad