v., adj., & n.
--v. (squatted, squatting)
1. intr. a crouch with the hams resting on the backs of the heels. b sit on the ground etc. with the knees drawn up and the heels close to or touching the hams.
2 tr. put (a person) into a squatting position.
3 intr. colloq. sit down.
4 a intr. act as a squatter. b tr. occupy (a building) as a squatter.
5 intr. (of an animal) crouch close to the ground.
--adj. (squatter, squattest)
1. (of a person etc.) short and thick, dumpy.
2 in a squatting posture.
--n.
1. a squatting posture.
2 a a place occupied by a squatter or squatters. b being a squatter.
Derivatives:
squatly adv. squatness n.
Etymology: ME f. OF esquatir flatten f. es- EX-(1) + quatir press down, crouch ult. f. L coactus past part. of cogere compel: see COGENT