squirt-|skwɜːt|the verbal stem in combination, chiefly in the sense ‘that squirts, capable of squirting’, as squirt clam, -fish, -gun, -ring; also † squirt-fire, a musket; squirt-swimming, swimming by propulsion produced by squirting of liquid; † squirt-wit(seequot. and squirt v. 4 c).Also squirt-can, squirt-oilcan, in recent use.1887G. B. Goode, etc. Fisheries U.S. II. 581 Mya arenaria... In Long Island Sound and at New York it is most spoken of as the ‘long clam’ and ‘*squirt clam’.1678Butler Hud. iii. ii. 1169 One single Red-Coat Sentinel..with his *Squirt-fire, could disperse Whole Troops.1860Wraxall Life in Sea v. 110 The Javanese *Squirt-fish (Chætodon rostratus) catches its prey in a similar fashion.1803Poet. Petit. agst. Tractorising Trumpery 87 With glyster-pipe and *squirt-gun There will be dev'lish deal of hurt done.1878Scribner's Mag. Nov. 76/2 [He] made squirt-guns of the hollow metal pen-handles.1877W. Jones Finger-ring 494 In the Waterton Collection is a bronze *squirt-ring.1861P. P. Carpenter in Rep. Smithsonian Instit. 1860 278 The *squirt-swimming of the Cuttles.1632Hausted Rival FriendsPref. A iij b, These *squirt⁓wits, who are able onely to bring forth a paper of verses in a yeere.