Noun usage from the adjective scurvy influenced by or a variant of scurfy. Took on meaning of Dutchscheurbuik, Frenchscorbut ("scurvy"), possibly from Old Norseskyrbjúgr, skyr ("sour milk") + bjúgr ("swelling, tumour") whence the Icelandic skyrbjúgur ("scurvy"). Compare German scharbock, Late Latin scorbutus.
Alternate etymology is, from Middle Dutch, from Middle Low German.
(disease) A disease caused by insufficient intake of vitamin C leading to the formation of livid spots on the skin, spongy gums, loosening of the teeth and bleeding into the skin and from almost all mucousmembranes.
2012-03, William E. Carter, Merri Sue Carter, The British Longitude Act Reconsidered, Conditions were horrendous aboard most British naval vessels at the time. Scurvy and other diseases ran rampant, killing more seamen each year than all other causes combined, including combat.
