Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Shirk

Shirk , transitive verb

[Probably the same word as shark. See Shark, transitive verb]

1.
To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation.
You that never heard the call of any vocation,... that shirk living from others, but time from Yourselves. — Bp. Rainbow
2.
To avoid; to escape; to neglect; -- implying unfaithfulness or fraud; as, to shirk duty.
The usual makeshift by which they try to shirk difficulties. — Hare

Shirk , intransitive verb

1.
To live by shifts and fraud; to shark.
2.
To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away.
One of the cities shirked from the league. — Byron

Shirk , noun

One who lives by shifts and tricks; one who avoids the performance of duty or labor.