{ Scathe (skāt͡h; 277), Scath (skăth; 277) }, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Scathed (skāt͡hd or skătht); p. pr. & vb. n.Scathing (skāt͡h″ĭng or skăth″–).] [Icel. skaða; akin to AS. sceaðan, sceððan, Dan. skade, Sw. skada, D. & G. schaden, OHG. scadōn, 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. Irving.