scoff
n. countable C1 Advanced US //ˈskɔf// UK //skˈɒf// scoff
n. a small amount of something, usually food or money. It is a casual way to talk about a tiny bit of something that is not enough to be useful.
n. a small quantity of something, typically food or money. Often used in the plural to indicate a lack of resources or a minimal amount.
After the long hike, we were so hungry that even a small scoff of food would have been welcome.
From Middle English scof, skof, probably of North Germanic origin. Compare Old Norse skaup, Old Danish skof, Old Frisian skof (“insult, shame”), and Old High German scoph.
A variant, attested since the mid 19th century, of scaff, of uncertain origin. Compare scarf (“eat quickly”).