Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCULK, v.i. [Dan. skiuler; Sw. skyla; D. schuilen, to hide, shelter, sculk; the Eng. shelter. It is also written skulk.]

To retire into a close or covered place for concealment; to lurk; to lie close from shame, fear of injury or detection. No news of Phyl! the bridegroom came, / And thought his bride had sculk'd for shame. – Swift. And sculk behind the subterfuge of art. – Prior.