bayou
UK: ˈbaɪ.uː | US: ˈbaɪ.uː
n. a marshy outlet of a lake or river, common in the southern US
n. a slow-moving or stagnant body of water in low-lying areas
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"Bayou" originates from the Choctaw word "bayuk," meaning "small stream." French settlers in Louisiana adopted the term as "bayouque," later anglicized to "bayou." The word reflects the blending of Indigenous and colonial languages in the American South, specifically describing the region's unique wetland landscapes.
The boat drifted slowly through the murky bayou.
Spanish moss draped the trees along the bayou's edge.
Alligators are commonly spotted in Louisiana bayous.
The bayou floods during heavy rains, creating vast marshes.
Local folklore tells of mysterious creatures lurking in the bayou.