skit·ter (skĭt'ər) v.
skit·tered, skit·ter·ing, skit·ters
v.
intr.
To move rapidly along a surface, usually with frequent light contacts or changes of direction; skip or glide quickly: lizards that skitter away when approached.
To fish by drawing a lure or baited hook over the surface of the water with a skipping movement.
v.
tr. To cause to skitter.
[Probably frequentative of dialectal skite, to run rapidly, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skjōta, to shoot; see shoot.]