n. the back of the neck as used to grasp and lift or drag an animal or person by (esp. scruff of the neck).
Etymology: alt. of scuff, perh. f. ON skoft hair
2.
n. colloq. an untidy or scruffy person.
Etymology: orig. = SCURF, later 'worthless thing', or back-form. f. SCRUFFY
Useful english dictionary. 2012.