scoop up water with the hand
掬 centers on scooping up water with cupped hands. The given meaning is specific to this action, and the kanji is used in contexts involving gathering or holding water by hand.
掬 combines 扌 (hand) with 匊, which likely contributes both sound and the idea of cupping or holding. The exact historical development of 匊 is uncertain, but the hand radical clearly indicates a manual action.
The left side is a hand 扌, and the right side 匊 looks like a container with something inside. Imagine cupping your hands together to scoop up water, forming a bowl shape like the right component.
For キク, picture scooping water with your hands and hearing a crisp 'kiku' sound as the water drips through your fingers: kiku -> キク.
scooping
to scoop; to ladle out
scooping loaches; catching loach in a net
steamed bun shaped like a loach catcher
festival game of scooping up plastic cartoon figurines floating in water; character scooping
festival game in which players scoop up bouncy balls floating in water
small amount
scoop (e.g. of icecream); scoopful
over-thigh scooping body drop
variety of beltless arm throw
to scoop up (with both hands)