Scuttled meaning : To cut a hole or holes through the bottom, deck, or sides of (as of a ship), for any purpose. To deliberately sink one's ship or boat by any means, usually by order of the vessel's commander or owner. (by extension, in figurative use) Undermine or thwart oneself (sometimes intentionally), or denigrate or destroy one's position or property; compare scupper. To move hastily, to scurry.