squirt v Of a squid, to eject a dark ink-like juice.
[1620] 1887 MASON 152 What should I speake of ... Squids a rare kind of fish, at his mouth squirting mattere forth like Inke ... [?] 1846 TOCQUE 317 The moment the squid is drawn from the water they 'squirt,' as it is termed, ejecting the black fluid in the face, and over the clothes of the fishermen. 1924 ENGLAND 179 'Dat Jonas,' volunteered the bosun, ain't doin' a thing. He ain't worth his salt, sit. An' if ye speak to un, he mind ye of a squid squirtin'.' 1940 SCAMMELL 9 "Squid Jiggin' Ground": But a squid in the boat squirted right down his throat, / He's swearin' like mad on the squid-jiggin' ground.
