aboiteau -x or -s. abatteau, aboideau [< Cdn F] Maritimes DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
THIS ENTRY MAY CONTAIN OUTDATED INFORMATION, TERMS and EXAMPLES
- The etymology of aboiteau has not been satisfactorily explained. The following quotations are offered as examples of suggested origins:
1 n.
a dike (def. 1) or dam equipped with a gate which functions as a valve releasing flood water from behind but preventing sea water from
entering at high tide.
See also: bito dike (def. 1) marsh dike
2 n.
the sluice-gate, or valve, arrangement in the dike.