Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a crust of bread [16C scruff, a thin crust].

1610		Rowlands Martin Mark-all 40: Scroofe scraps.
1913		A. Irvine My Lady of the Chimney Corner 163: These wathery-mouthed gossoons who pray air jist like oul’ Hughie Thornton wi’ his pockets bulgin’ wi’ scroof (crusts).

2. a scrounger [scroof v.].

1823

Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: scroof A sponge: one who endeavours to live at other people’s expense, so that he can save his own pockets.

3. (Irish) dandruff [SE scurf].

1997

Share Slanguage.

4. (Irish) unpleasant people, scum [SE scruff, someone worthless].

1997

Share Slanguage.