Yes. It could mean that someone really desires something. "He was desperate for a cigarette" or "She was desperate for a cup of water". It can also mean someone is dangerous, "Police advise people to not approach the desperate criminal."

I believe {QIl} is more for {nab QIl lunID tlhInganpu'} - "The Klingons try the desperate plan" (it's a do-or-die plan, most will die from it, but it's the only plan that will work). 

Could {QIl} be a pun for "kill" since that's what tends to happen to people who do desperate plans? :D

qurgh