vlei

/ vleɪ; fleɪ /

noun

1. an area of low marshy ground, esp one that feeds a stream
2. dialect.
   a marsh

Word History and Origins

Origin of vlei¹

C19: from Afrikaans (for sense 1); from obsolete N American Dutch dialect (for sense 2): valley

Example Sentences

Our progress was of course very slow, until at length the vlei was reached.

From Project Gutenberg

We soon came to the vlei: there was not much water, but still it was worth more than gold to me; I drank as I never drank before.

From Project Gutenberg

We walked up quickly to the spot, but first went to the vlei, for a little water.

From Project Gutenberg

The vlei must be there; it was heart-breaking to be baffled in this way.

From Project Gutenberg

We had, somehow, no wish to bequeath to others the secret of the vlei.

From Project Gutenberg