Scratched (out) (4)
I believe the answer is:
eked
'scratched out' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for eked that I've seen before include "Made, a living say, laboriously" , "Lengthened; supplemented" , "... out, made to last through frugality" , "Added to scantly" , "- - out: increased" .)