late 14c., probably of imitative origin, similar to Middle Swedish skväka "to squeak, croak." Related: Squeaked; squeaking.
squeak n.
1660s, from squeak (v.); sense of "narrow escape" is by 1811.
Entries linking to squeak
squeaky adj.
1823, from squeak (n.) + -y (2). Squeaky clean in figurative sense is from 1972, probably from advertisements for dishwashing liquid. Related: Squeakily; squeakiness.