n. & v.
--n.
1. (also sluice-gate, sluice-valve) a sliding gate or other contrivance for controlling the volume or flow of water.
2 (also sluice-way) an artificial water-channel esp. for washing ore.
3 a place for rinsing.
4 the act or an instance of rinsing.
5 the water above or below or issuing through a floodgate.
--v.
1. tr. provide or wash with a sluice or sluices.
2 tr. rinse, pour or throw water freely upon.
3 tr. (foll. by out, away) wash out or away with a flow of water.
4 tr. flood with water from a sluice.
5 intr. (of water) rush out from a sluice, or as if from a sluice.
Etymology: ME f. OF escluse ult. f. L excludere EXCLUDE