skat

noun

ˈskät  ˈskat 

1

: a three-handed card game played with 32 cards in which players bid for the privilege of attempting any of several contracts

2

: a widow of two cards in skat that may be used by the winner of the bid

Word History

Etymology

German, modification of Italian scarto discard, from scartare to discard, from s- (from Latin ex-) + carta card — more at card entry 1

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1