/ ˈgɑːgɔɪl; NAmE ˈgɑːrg-/ noun
an ugly figure of a person or an animal that is made of stone and through which water is carried away from the roof of a building, especially a church
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French gargouille throat, also gargoyle (because of the water passing through the throat and mouth of the figure); related to Greek gargarizein to gargle (imitating the sounds made in the throat).