An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schuft

by Friedrich Kluge

Schuft, m., ‘wretch, rascal, scamp,’ ModHG. only, formed from LG. schuft, Du. schoft, which is usually derived from LG. schuf ût, ‘thrust out’; comp. Du. schavuit, ‘rascal,’ lit. ‘scrape out’; hence Schuft, lit. ‘offscouring’?.