An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Scheusal

by Friedrich Kluge

Scheusal, neuter, ‘object of horror, monster,’ a derivative of scheu, like late Middle High German schûsel, ‘monster, scarecrow.’ To this is allied Modern High German scheußlich, corrupted from Middle High German schiuzlich, ‘shy, despairing,’ which is connected with schiuzen, ‘to feel horror,’ from *schiuhezen (allied to scheuen, Middle High German schiuhen).