prop wash

plural prop washes

1. countableuncountableaeronauticsThe disturbed mass of air or water pushed aft (or forward when in reverse) by the propeller of an aircraft or propeller-driven watercraft.

   The plane's large rear doors swallowed up my friend in superfast time, its departure sandblasting everyone in red prop wash as it vaporised down the main street and into the afternoon's dust-bowl sky.

   2005, Paul Carter, Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs, Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, page 23

   Synonyms: prop blast

2. countableuncountableA byproduct of thrust produced by a propeller.
3. countablehumorousuncountableaeronauticsA mythical substance supposedly used to wash propellers.

   We sent the new recruit to obtain a bucket of prop wash.