The English form of shufti (arabic for look / take a look)

Originally RAF but later Army also, shufty or shufti became taking a look for possible dangers.
Back home, it was used simply for having a quick look (Am. checking out)

To have a glance or to look at.

To masturbate, (usually a male wanking).

A person who has a "shufty" is known as a "shufter".