*skuftą

From Pre-Germanic *skup-to-s, of uncertain further origin. Pfeifer derives the term from a Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewp- (‘tuft, cluster, hair on the head’), related to Middle High German schopf (‘tuft, headhair, forehead’), Proto-Slavic *čubъ (‘forelock, crest’) (itself of dubious relation to Proto-Slavic *čupъ (‘kink, crook’)), and perhaps Albanian çup (‘without tail, maimed’). Compare to *skaubą and Proto-Indo-European *skub-, *skup-, *skupn- (‘to curve, bow, vault’). Kroonen is skeptical of the connection to Slavic, and leaves the origin open.