Definition of "backscatter"

(physics) The deflection of particles and/or radiation through angles greater than 90 degrees to the original direction of travel.  examples

The particles and/or radiation deflected in this manner.  examples

(military) A portion of the energy of electromagnetic radiation such as a laser or radio waves that is scattered back in the direction of the source of radiation by an obscurant.

(computing) The sending of IP packets to essentially random addresses in response to incoming packets that have a spoofed origin.  examples

To scatter particles and/or radiation back to the direction from which they come.  examples