Etymology

This n. relates to, and is perhaps derived on, the ME v. skrieken (see schrikis (v.)). ON input, if not derivation, is often claimed for forms of the v. in spellings indicating an absence of palatalization of initial /sk/; cp. OIcel skrækja 'screetch, skriek' < PGmc skrēkjan-, cp. MLG skrēken 'laugh loudly' (the vocalism of this v. varies somewhat throughout Gmc, perhaps due to its imitative origin (so Orel), cp. further Icel skríkja 'cry', OS scrīkon < PGmc *skrīkjan-). As Bj. notes, however, spellings indicating a palatalized consonant also occur; they might be indicative of input from a native source or the result of analogical substitution.

PGmc Ancestor

*skrīkjan-

Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)

skrækja (v.) 'screetch, skriek'
(ONP skrǽkja (vb.))

Other Scandinavian Reflexes

OE Cognate

Phonological and morphological markers

absence of palatalization of */sk/

Summary category

A1

Attestation

MED cites spellings unambiguously indicating initial /sk/ from the 15c. in a widespread range of texts. EDD also cites the MnE dial word from the SW as well as N and Sc dialects. The v. occurs with relevant spelling at least a century earlier and is also widespread (see schrikis (v.)).

Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus

WA 4721, 5157

The v. occurs twice in WA: in the first instance (929) the D MS has the variant spelling <scrikes> for <schrikis> in the A MS, although the alliteration of the line makes it clear /sk/ cannot be intended.  In the second instance (3866), the form <schrikis> is ambiguous and does not participate in the alliteration of the line. 

Bibliography

MED skrī̆ke (n.) , OED skrike (n.) , HTOED , EDD skrike (v. and sb.), Bj. 131, de Vries skrækja, Mag. skrækja, Orel *skrēkjanan, skrīkjanan,