Words: squib [AHED]

NOUN: 1a. A small firecracker. b. A broken firecracker that burns but does not explode. 2a. A brief satirical or witty writing or speech, such as a lampoon. b. A short, sometimes humorous piece in a newspaper or magazine, usually used as a filler.
INTRANSITIVE VERB: To write or utter squibs.
TRANSITIVE VERB: 1. To write or utter squibs against; lampoon. 2. Football To kick (the ball) low on a kickoff so that it bounces along the ground.
ETYMOLOGY: Probably imitative.