noun
freshet
FRESH-uht/ˈfrɛʃət/
A sudden rise or overflow of a stream caused by rain or melting snow.
Heavy spring rain sends a freshet rushing down the creek.
Etymology
The base fresh here meant a stream in flood, not something newly made. Freshet first named a freshwater stream, then came to mean the increased flow caused by rain or melting snow.
In context
Have you ever seen a mule go down to the ford in spring, too heavily laden, when there is freshet? He drowns
More examples
- Rapid snowmelt causes a freshet that floods the riverside trail.
- After the downpour, a freshet carries branches beneath the bridge.
- Spring freshets often wash away the footbridge over this stream.
Forms
freshet · freshets