Scathe .] [Icel. ska[eth]a; akin to AS. scea[eth]an, sce[eth][eth]an, Dan. skade, Sw. skada, D. & G. schaden, OHG. scadon, Goth. skaþjan.]
To do harm to; to injure; to damage; to waste; to destroy.
As when heaven's fire
Hath scathed the forest oaks or mountain pines.
Milton.
Strokes of calamity that scathe and scorch the soul.
W. Irwing.
© Webster 1913.