fosse

noun

ˈfäs 

variants or foss

: ditch, moat

Synonyms

• dike
• ditch
• gutter
• sheugh [chiefly Scottish]
• trench
• trough

Examples of fosse in a Sentence

the first line of defense is a water-filled fosse that enemy troops would have to cross

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fosse, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin fossa "ditch, trench," noun derivative from feminine of fossus, past participle of fodere "to jab, dig" — more at fossil entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above