noun
or pi·cot·tah or pic·co·tah pə̇ˈkōd.ə, -käd.ə
( -s )
Etymology: Portuguese picota, literally, post, pillory, from pico point, peak, from picar to prick, pierce, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin piccare — more at pike
: a counterpoised sweep used in India for raising water from wells