Main Entry: ¹slough

Pronunciation: \ˈslü, ˈslau̇; in the US (exc New England) ˈslü is usual for sense 1 with those to whom the sense is familiar; British usually ˈslau̇ for both senses\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English sloughe, slo, from Old English slōh; akin to Middle High German slouche ditch

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a place of deep mud or mire balso slew or slue \ˈslü\ (1) : swamp (2) : an inlet on a river; also : backwater (3) : a creek in a marsh or tide flat
2 : a state of moral degradation or spiritual dejection

— sloughy \-ē\ adjective