verb
scuttle
To sink a ship deliberately by admitting water.
The crew scuttles the damaged ship by opening its valves.
Etymology
The verb is associated with scuttle, an opening in a vessel. Deliberately opening the hull admits water and causes the ship to sink.
More examples
- They scuttle the old freighter to create an artificial reef.
- The captain orders the ship scuttled to prevent its capture.
- Their refusal to compromise scuttles the peace talks.
Forms
scuttle · scuttles · scuttled · scuttling