sb. Naut. Also squillage, squiligee. [Of obscure origin.] (See quots. 1867–75, and cf. SQUEEGEE sb. 1.)
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., 648. Squilgee, or Squillage, a small swab made of untwisted yarns. Figuratively, a lazy mean fellow.
1875. Knight, Dict. Mech., 2295/2. Squilgee, an instrument like a hoe, covered with leather, to rub the decks after washing.
1890. W. Clark Russell, Ocean Trag., II. xvi. 68. Swabs and squiligees had been flung down.
Hence Squilgee v., to use a squilgee; to swab, clean, press, etc., with a squilgee. Also Squilgeeing vbl. sb.
1840. R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, xiv. The washing, swabbing, squilgeeing, etc., etc. lasts … until eight o’clock.
