A doctor's note is a document written by a doctor that provides an excuse for a patient's absence from work, school, or other activities. It is also known as a medical certificate, and it typically includes the doctor's diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The term 'SCRAWL' is a verb meaning to write something in a hurried or careless manner. Therefore, a doctor's note is a document that is scrawled by a doctor in order to provide an excuse for a patient's absence.