squatting

(noun) exercising by repeatedly assuming a crouching position with the knees bent; strengthens the leg muscles. Synonyms: knee bend, squat.

(noun) the act of assuming or maintaining a crouching position with the knees bent and the buttocks near the heels. Synonyms: squat.

(verb) sit on one's heels. Synonyms: squat, crouch, scrunch, scrunch up, hunker, hunker down. Examples: "In some cultures, the women give birth while squatting." "The children hunkered down to protect themselves from the sandstorm."

(verb) be close to the earth, or be disproportionately wide. Synonyms: squat. Example: "The building squatted low."

(verb) occupy (a dwelling) illegally. Synonyms: squat.