Etymology

ON input, if not derivation, is often claimed for forms of this v. with 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. The form <schrikis> in WA 3866 is ambiguous and does not participate in the alliteration of the line. 

PGmc Ancestor

*skrīkjan-

Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)

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

Other Scandinavian Reflexes

Icel skrækja, Norw skrækja, Sw dial skräka

OE Cognate

Phonological and morphological markers

[absence of palatalization of */sk/] (may not be applicable)

Summary category

BB2a

Attestation

Widespread with relevant spellings from the 14c.

Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus

WA 3866

There is an additional instance of this v. in WA: at 929 the D MS has the variant spelling <scrikes> for <schrikis> in the A MS. However, the alliteration of the line makes it clear /sk/ cannot be intended.  

Bibliography