/ ˈpɒthəʊl; NAmE ˈpɑːthoʊl/ noun
1.
a large rough hole in the surface of a road that is formed by traffic and bad weather
2.
a deep hole that is formed in rock, especially by the action of water
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WORD ORIGIN
early 19th cent.: from Middle English pot pit (perhaps of Scandinavian origin) + hole .