clow

noun

ˈklau̇

plural -s

1

: an outfall sluice for water from a tidal river after it has deposited its sediment on flooded land

2

: a floodgate especially for a lock or water mill

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English clowse (taken as plural), from Old English clūs, clūse bar, bolt, enclosure, from Medieval Latin clusa enclosure, from Latin, feminine of clusus, clausus, past participle of claudere to close

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