back water

verb

To reverse the action of the oars, paddles, or propeller, so as to force the boat or ship backward.

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Meanings

nounback water (plural back waters)

plural back waters

  1. alternativeAlternative spelling of backwater.
verbback water (third-person singular simple present backs water, present participle backing water, simple past and past participle backed water)

present singular third person backs water · participle present backing water · participle past backed water · past backed water

  1. nauticalTo reverse the action of the oars, paddles, or propeller, so as to force the boat or ship backward.
Cite this entry
APA

back water. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/back%20water

MLA

“back water.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/back%20water. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “back water,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/back%20water.

Source: back water on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.