σκῦλα

Frisk Etymological English

Grammatical information: n. pl.
Meaning: weapon-, war-booty, also -ον sg. plunder, booty (S., E., Th. a. o.)
Derivatives: σκυλαῖος in σκυλαίας τὰ σκῦλα καὶ λάφυρα. οἱ δε τὰς πανοπλίας H. Denom. verb σκυλ-εύω to rob a slain enemy of his weapons, to plunder (Hes. Sc. 468, ΙΑ.) with -εύματα n. pl. = σκῦλα (E., Th.), -εία f. (LXX), -ευσις f. (Cilicia), -ευμός m. (Eust.) plunder, -ευτής m. plunderer (Aq.), -ευτικός plundering (Tz.). Also σκυλ-άω, -ῆσαι (UPZ 6, 15; 21, AP 3, 6[?], Eust.) id. with -ήτρια f. female plunderer (Lyc., Eust.).
Origin: PG [a word of Pre-Greek origin]X [probably]
Etymology: Generally connected with σκῦτος and ἐπισκύνιον and with a verb cover (WP. 2, 546ff., Pok. 951 ff.) in Skt. sku-nā-ti (meaning quite uncertain). After Pisani Sprache 5, 144 cross of σῦλον (s. συλάω) and σκῦτος. σκύλος too is connected (thus still s. ἐπισκύνιον, where further lit.), but the meaning skin stripped off spreaks for connection with σκύλλω. On the other hand the meaning of σκῦλον influenced the aorist σκῦλαι. --- Furnée 393 connects ξύλλομαι (not in Frisk or DELG) and concludes to a Pre-Greek word (?).