trough
UK: trɒf | US: trɔːf
n. a long, narrow container for holding food or water for animals
n. a low point in a business cycle or economic activity
n. a channel or depression, such as between waves or hills
The word "trough" originates from Old English trog, meaning a wooden vessel or container, which itself derives from Proto-Germanic trugaz. This root is shared with related Germanic languages (e.g., Dutch trog, German Trog). The term originally referred to a hollowed-out wooden object, later generalizing to any long, shallow container. Over time, its meaning expanded metaphorically to describe natural depressions (e.g., wave troughs) and economic lows.
The farmer filled the trough with fresh water for the pigs.
The economy reached its lowest trough during the recession.
Surfers wait for the wave to rise from the trough before riding it.
A narrow trough between the hills collected rainwater.
The sheep gathered around the feed trough in the morning.