Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SQUEETER, v., n. [′skwitər]
I. v. 1. tr. and intr. To spatter, to (cause to) fly in all directions, of a liquid, to splash, to (make a) flurry (Mry., Bnff., Abd. 1971); “to scatter” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 180). Also in Eng. dial.Mry. 1961 Elgin Courant (6 Dec.):
The squeetrin' snaw flakes swirl and sweel.
2. To work in a weak, unskilful manner (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 180, Bnff. 1971). Deriv. squeeterer, a careless or unskilful worker (Bnff. 1880 Jam.).
II. n. 1. A confused, mixed-up mass, a botched job (Bnff. 1880 Jam.; Bnff., Abd. 1971). Deriv. squeeterer, id. (Ib.).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 180:
Sic a squeeter's they haud at thir wark.
2. A person weak and unskilful at his work (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 180).
[Formally an emphatic variant of Skitter, with semantic development as in Scutter (see note s.v.). See also Queeter.]
