n.
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch; akin to Old English for demman to stop up
Date: 14th century
1 : a body of water confined by a barrier
2 a : a barrier preventing the flow of water or of loose solid materials (as soil or snow) especially : a barrier built across a watercourse for impounding water b : a barrier to check the flow of liquid, gas, or air