Squat /skwat/ 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. Squatly adv. Squatness n. [ME f. OF esquatir flatten f. es-EX- +quatir press down, crouch ult. F. L coactus past part. of cogere compel: see COGENT 
 

Squatter /'skwate(r)/ n. 1 a person who takes unauthorized possession of unoccupied premises. 2 Austral. A sheep-farmer esp. on a large scale.b hist. a person who gets the right of pasturage from the government on easy terms. 3 a person who settles on new esp. Public land without title. 4 a person who squats.