Squittered

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Spread or spilled in a scattered, hurried way, as liquid or small objects dispersing in every direction
2. Sprayed or dispersed in quick little spurts, sending droplets or particles flying about in all directions
3. Scattered about in erratic, sprinkling bursts, as when fluid or tiny bits fly loose and scatter across a surface

Etymology: "Squittered" is the past tense and past participle of "squitter," so it describes the action of "squitter" itself. That verb is built from "squit," meaning to squirt, with the frequentative ending "-er," which turns a single quick action into a repeated, scattered one. A squittering motion is therefore a series of small, rapid squirts or spurts rather than one clean jet. The verb sits in the same family as "skitter," which suggests quick, light, darting movement, and the two words share that sense of something moving in quick bursts. "Squit" itself is the older, more sputtering sibling, rooted in the idea of liquid being forced out in a sharp spray.

Synonyms: squirt, spurt, scatter