underdrain

[ noun uhn-der-dreyn; verb uhn-der-dreyn ]

noun

1. a drain placed beneath the surface of cultivated fields, streets, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. to equip or supply with an underdrain or underdrains.

underdrain

noun

1. a drain buried below agricultural land

verb

1. to bury such drains below (agricultural land)

Derived Forms

• ˈunderˌdrainage, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of underdrain¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; under- + drain

Example Sentences

I would urge no farmer to plunge up to his neck into debt in order to underdrain his farm.

From Project Gutenberg