noun

1. a steep slope; specif., an escarpment or cliff extending along the edge of a plateau, mesa, etc.
2. the inner slope of a ditch below a rampart

Etymology: It scarpa, a scarp, slope < Goth *skrapa, akin to OE scræf, cave, hollow < IE *(s)kerb(h)-, var. of base *(s)ker-, to cut > shear

transitive verb

1. to make or cut into a steep slope
2. to provide with a scarp