scotching

Verb

scotch (third-person singular simple present scotches, present participle scotching, simple past and past participle scotched)

1. (transitive) To cut or score; to wound superficially.
   • We have scotched the snake, not killed it.c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
2. (transitive) To prevent (something) from being successful.
   • The rain scotched his plans of going to the beach.

   Synonyms:

   foil, put the kibosh on, thwart

3. (transitive) To debunk or discredit an idea or rumor.
   • The prime minister scotched rumors of his resignation.

   Synonyms:

   spike

4. (transitive) To block a wheel or other round object.
   • The workers stopped the rig on an incline and scotched the wheels.

   Synonyms:

   chock, block

5. (transitive) To dress (stone) with a pick or pointed instrument.
6. (transitive, textile manufacturing) To beat yarn in order to break up slugs and align the threads.
   • Yarn is scotched immediately after it has been dried and while it is still warm. http://www.google.com/patents?id=DXdGAAAAEBAJ&pg=PP3&vq=scotched&dq=scotching

See all 19 meanings of scotch