What's the difference between scutch and smutch?

Scutch

Definition:

• (v. t.) To beat or whip; to drub.
• (v. t.) To separate the woody fiber from (flax, hemp, etc.) by beating; to swingle.
• (v. t.) To loosen and dress the fiber of (cotton or silk) by beating; to free (fibrous substances) from dust by beating and blowing.
• (n.) A wooden instrument used in scutching flax and hemp.
• (n.) The woody fiber of flax; the refuse of scutched flax.

Example Sentences:

• (1) The concentrations of airborne dust and bacteria were determined in 12 flax scutching mills and in two milk processing plants in Normandy, France.

Smutch

Definition:

• (n.) A stain; a dirty spot.
• (v. t.) To blacken with smoke, soot, or coal.

Example Sentences: