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 floodgate
2 : a dock gate : floodgate
3 a : a stream flowing through a floodgate b : a channel to drain or carry off surplus water
4 : a long inclined trough usually on the ground; especially : such a contrivance paved usually with riffles to hold quicksilver for catching gold