Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - skat

 noun  Etymology: German, modification of Italian scarto discard, from scartare to discard, from s- (from Latin ex-) + carta card — more at card  Date: 1864  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 ~ that may be used by the winner of the bid