scuttling

To cut a hole or holes through the bottom, deck, or sides of (as of a ship), for any purpose.

To deliberately sink one's ship or boat by any means, usually by order of the vessel's commander or owner.

(by extension, in figurative use) Undermine or thwart oneself (sometimes intentionally), or denigrate or destroy one's position or property; compare scupper.

“The candidate had scuttled his chances with his unhinged outburst.”

To move hastily, to scurry.

The motion of one who scuttles.

“scuttlings back and forth”

The act by which a vessel is scuttled.