sculking

verb (used without object), noun

1. skulk.

verb (used without object)

1. to lie or keep in hiding, as for some evil reason: The thief skulked in the shadows.
2. to move in a stealthy manner; slink: The panther skulked through the bush.
3. British. to shirk duty; malinger.

noun

4. a person who skulks.
5. a pack or group of foxes.
6. Rare. an act or instance of skulking.

verb (intr)

1. to move stealthily so as to avoid notice
2. to lie in hiding; lurk
3. to shirk duty or evade responsibilities; malinger

noun

4. a person who skulks
5. obsolete a pack of foxes or other animals that creep about stealthily

v.c.1200, from a Scandinavian source, cf. 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.