dredge

dredge

dredge¹ [drej]

n.

[prob. < MDu dregge, akin to DRAG]

1. a device consisting of a net attached to a frame, dragged along the bottom of a river, bay, etc. to gather shellfish, marine plant specimens, etc.

2. an apparatus for scooping or sucking up mud, sand, rocks, etc., as in deepening or clearing channels, harbors, etc.

3. a barge or other boat equipped with a dredge

vt.

dredged, dredging

1. to search for or gather (up) with or as with a dredge

2. to enlarge or clean out (a river channel, harbor, etc.) with a dredge

vi.

1. to use a dredge

2. to search as with a dredge

dredger

n.

dredge² [drej]

vt.

dredged, dredging [< ME dragge, sweetmeat < OFr dragie < ML dragium, earlier dragetum < L tragemata < Gr tragēmata, pl. of tragēma, dried fruit, dessert < trōgein, to gnaw < IE * trog- < base * ter-, to rub: see THROW]

1. to coat (food) with flour or the like, as by sprinkling

2. to sprinkle (flour, etc.)

dredger

n.