I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English bakwater, from bak back + water
1.
a. : water turned back in its course (as in a sewer or river channel) by an obstruction, an opposing current, or the flow of the tide
b. : a body or accumulation of water resulting from this especially when overflowing lowlands or forming a body fed by a side channel from the main current or sea
2. : backwash 1
3. : white water 2
4. : an isolated, secluded, or backward place, section, or condition
one of the cultural backwaters of civilization
the quiet backwater of a classroom — Anna M.Wells
a rural New England backwater — R.F.Nichols
5. : a large grayish or mottled Indo-Pacific ray ( Gymnura japonica ) esteemed for food
II. intransitive verb
Etymology: back (IV) + water, n.
1. : to reverse the usual forward rowing or paddling stroke usually to check the forward motion of a boat or canoe or propel it backward
2. : to retreat from a stand taken
backwater publicly on several issues