dam

A structure placed across a flowing body of water to stop the flow or part of the flow, generally for purposes such as retaining or diverting some of the water or retarding the release of accumulated water to avoid abrupt flooding.

A dam is often an essential source of water to farmers of hilly country.

Nothing could be more business-like than the construction of the stout dams, and nothing more gently rural than the limpid lakes, with the grand old forest trees marshalled round their margins[…]

The water reservoir resulting from placing such a structure.

Boats may only be used at places set aside for boating on the dam.

A device to prevent a tooth from getting wet during dental work, consisting of a rubber sheet held with a band.

A reservoir.

A firebrick wall, or a stone, which forms the front of the hearth of a blast furnace.

To block the flow of water.

Home I vvould go, / But that my Dores are hatefull to my eyes. / Fill'd and damm'd up vvith gaping Creditors, / VVatchfull as Fovvlers vvhen their Game vvill ſpring; […]

Female parent, mother, generally regarding breeding of animals.

More dear […] than younglings to their dam.

The dam runs lowing up and down, / Looking the way her harmless young one went.

A kind of crowned piece in the game of draughts.