Main Entry:

¹sluice

Pronunciation:

\ˈslüs\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English sluse, alteration of scluse, from Anglo-French escluse, from Late Latin exclusa, from Latin, feminine of exclusus, past participle of excludere to exclude

Date:

15th century

1 a: an artificial passage for water (as in a millstream) fitted with a valve or gate for stopping or regulating flow b: a body of water pent up behind a floodgate2: a dock gate : floodgate3 a: a stream flowing through a floodgate b: a channel to drain or carry off surplus water4: a long inclined trough usually on the ground ; especially : such a contrivance paved usually with riffles to hold quicksilver for catching gold