Squelch
/skwɛltʃ/noun
To make a soft, wet, crushing sound; or to suppress or silence abruptly.
Did you know?Unlike words with ancient roots, *squelch* is a true sound-symbolic creation from Early Modern English, which is why its meaning feels so physically vivid.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
English
squelch
“A noisy, crushing, or squashing sound; later, to crush or suppress something decisively.”
Early Modern English
English
squelch
“An expressive sound-imitating formation, probably influenced by wet, squishy motion and impact sounds.”
Modern English
English
squelch
“To make a squishing sound or to put an end to something abruptly or forcefully.”
Modern English
English
squelching
“The act of making a wet, crushing sound or suppressing something.”