The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Scamper \Scam"per\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scampered; p. pr. & vb. n. Scampering.] [OF. escamper to escape, to save one's self; L. ex from + campus the field (sc. of battle). See Camp, and cf. Decamp, Scamp, n., Shamble, v. t.] To run with speed; to run or move in a quick, hurried manner; to hasten away. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] The lady, however, . . . could not help scampering about the room after a mouse. --S. Sharpe. [1913 Webster]