squail I. \ˈskwā(ə)l\verb Etymology: origin unknown intransitive verb dialect chiefly Britain: to throw a weighted stick (as at a bird or fruit on a tree) < squailed at the pears with short sticks — Richard Jefferies > transitive verb dialect chiefly Britain: to strike by throwing a stick II. noun (-s) Etymology: back-formation from squails : a disk or counter used in the game of squails