Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Scurf

Scurf , noun

[Anglo-Saxon scurf, sceorf, or from Scand.; compare Swedish skorf, Danish skurv, Icelandic skurfur, Dutch schurft, German schorf; all akin to Anglo-Saxon scurf, and to Anglo-Saxon sceorfan to scrape, to gnaw, German schurfen to scrape, and probably also to English scrape. Compare Scurvy.]

1.
Thin dry scales or scabs upon the body; especially, thin scales exfoliated from the cuticle, particularly of the scalp; dandruff.
2.
Hence, the foul remains of anything adherent.
The scurf is worn away of each committed crime. — Dryden
3.
Anything like flakes or scales adhering to a surface.
There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top Belched fire and rolling smoke; the rest entire Shone with a glossy scurf. — Milton
4.
(Botany) Minute membranous scales on the surface of some leaves, as in the goosefoot. — Gray