Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†SQUABASH, n., v. [skwɑ′bɑʃ]

I. n. 1. A crushing snub, devastating reproof.Sc. 1818 Blackwood's Mag. (June) 250:
The Author of “The Dentist” is most rash; If printed, 'twould secure him a squabash.Sc. 1827 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 40:
Dr Andrew Thomson has given the Directors a most complete squabash.

2. An uproar, political upheaval (w.Sc. 1825 Jam.).Ayr. 1822 Galt Steam-Boat xii.:
As for a squabash when he does kick, wha's to make it?

II. v. To silence (a person) by demolishing his ideas, arguments, pretensions, etc., to squash, crush, quell. Hence squabasher, something which, someone who delivers a crushing blow to another's morale, a “floorer.”Sc. 1820 Blackwood's Mag. (May) 188:
The Radicals are rather cowed than squabashed.Sc. 1825 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 36:
How such a man as Jeffrey would have squabashed him before a jury!Sc. 1827 Blackwood's Mag. (June) 650:
That was a squabasher to the Elchee, who tried to back out of the argument.Sc. 1827 Scott Journal (17 Jan.):
Gifford's satire of the Baviad and Maeviad squabashed at one blow a set of coxcombs who might have humbugged the world long enough.