Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCAR'I-FY, v.t. [Fr. scarifier; L. scarifico. Qu. scar, Gr. εσχαρα and L. facio, to make. But the Greek is σκαριφαομαι, from σκαριφος, a pointed instrument, or a sharp pointed piece of wood.]

– To scratch or cut the skin of an animal, or to make small incisions by means of a lancet or cupping instrument, so as to draw blood from the smaller vessels without opening a large vein. Encyc.