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.
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)
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.