Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCUD, v.i. [This is shoot, or from the same root; Dan. skyder, to shoot; skud, a shot; Sw. skudda, to throw or pour out; Sax. sceotan, to shoot, to flee or haste away; W. ysgwdu, to push or thrust; ysgudaw, ysguthaw, to whisk, to scud, to whirl about. See Shoot.]

1. In a general sense, to be driven or to flee or fly with haste. In seamen's language, to be driven with precipitation before a tempest. This is done with a sail extended on the foremast of the ship, or when the wind is too violent, without any sail set, which is called scudding under bare poles. Mar. Dict.
2. To run with precipitation; to fly. – Dryden.