Squat·ter n.
  1. One who squats; specifically, one who settles unlawfully upon land without a title.  In the United States and Australia the term is sometimes applied also to a person who settles lawfully upon government land under legal permission and restrictions, before acquiring title.
     In such a tract, squatters and trespassers were tolerated to an extent now unknown.   --Macaulay.
  2. Zool. See Squat snipe, under Squat.
  Squatter sovereignty, the right claimed by the squatters, or actual residents, of a Territory of the United States to make their own laws. [Local, U.S.] --Bartlett.
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  Squat, n.
  1. The posture of one that sits on his heels or hams, or close to the ground.
  2. A sudden or crushing fall. [Obs.]
  3. Mining (a) A small vein of ore. (b) A mineral consisting of tin ore and spar.
  Squat snipe Zool., the jacksnipe; -- called also squatter. [Local, U.S.]
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