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scour

1. To rub hard with something rough, as sand or Bristol brick, especially for the purpose of cleaning; to clean by friction; to make clean or bright; to cleanse from grease, dirt, etc, as articles of dress.

2. To purge; as, to scour a horse.

3. To remove by rubbing or cleansing; to sweep along or off; to carry away or remove, as by a current of water; often with off or away. [I will] stain my favors in a bloody mask, Which, washed away, shall scour my shame with it. (Shak)

4. [Perhaps a different word; cf. OF. Escorre, escourre, It. Scorrere, both fr. L. Excurrere to run forth. Cf. Excursion] To pass swiftly over; to brush along; to traverse or search thoroughly; as, to scour the coast. Not so when swift Camilla scours the plain. (pope) Scouring barrel, a tumbling barrel. See Tumbling.

(Science: chemistry) Scouring cinder, a basic slag, which attacks the lining of a shaft furnace. Scouring rush.

(Science: botany) A kind of fulling mill.

Origin: Akin to LG. Schuren, D. Schuren, schueren, G. Scheuern, Dan. Skure; Sw. Skura; all possibly fr. LL. Escurare, fr. L. Ex _ curare to take care. Cf. Cure.