- screech (v.)
- 1570s, alteration of scritch (mid-13c., schrichen), possibly of imitative origin (compare shriek). Related: Screeched; screeching. Screech-owl is attested from 1590s (scritch-owl is from 1520s).
- screech (n.)
- 1550s, from screech (v.). Earlier scritch (1510s).