scotch

A slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally).

Whiskey distilled in Scotland; especially whiskey made from malted barley in a pot still.

Hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of.

Make a small cut or score into.

Avoiding waste.

“`scotch' is used only informally”

Of or relating to or characteristic of Scotland or its people or culture or its English dialect or Gaelic language.