dead water

noun

1. water eddying beside a moving hull, especially directly astern.
2. a part of a stream where there is a slack current.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dead water¹

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

I crept up the dead water under the bank, and hadn't no accidents and didn't see nobody.

From Project Gutenberg

It is known that there is a small bay and dead water for some distance within its mouth.

From Project Gutenberg

When the level is driven correctly, with the proper depth of water, it is said to have dead water at the forehead.

From Project Gutenberg

On the ceiling a spot of light flickered with the reflection of the dead water, constantly crossed by lines of shadow.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a little sheet of marshy water, surrounded by reeds, on which floated some dead water-lily leaves.

From Project Gutenberg