dugout
UK: ˈdʌɡaʊt | US: ˈdʌɡaʊt
n. a shelter dug into the ground or a trench, often used for protection in warfare
n. a canoe made by hollowing out a tree trunk
n. (baseball) a covered area where players sit when not on the field
The word "dugout" combines "dug" (past tense of "dig," from Old English dīcian) and "out" (from Old English ūt). It originally described a shelter or boat created by digging or hollowing out material. The baseball sense emerged in the late 19th century, metaphorically referencing the sunken, sheltered design of players' benches.
Soldiers took cover in a dugout during the artillery attack.
The indigenous tribe crafted a sturdy dugout from a single log.
The coach signaled from the dugout to the pitcher.
Archaeologists discovered an ancient dugout used for storage.
Rainwater flooded the baseball team's dugout during the storm.