backfire in WordNet English dictionary

1. a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
   backfire  boomerang 
   
2. a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
   backfire 
   
3. the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
   blowback  backfire 
   
4. a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path
   backfire 
   

1. set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire
   backfire 
   
2. emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
   "My old car backfires all the time"
   backfire 
   
3. come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
   "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble"
   backfire  backlash  recoil 
   

backfire in English Wiktionary