lead, verb transitive
/liːd/
- Origin:
- South African Dutch, AfrikaansShow more Calqued on South African Dutch water lij (subsequently Afrikaans water lei) to irrigate.
In the phrase to lead water (occasionally to lead out water): to irrigate; to obtain household water by bringing it from its source through furrows constructed for this purpose. See also sloot sense 1.
- Note:
- Not exclusively South African English, but differing from general usage in that it is commonly used without a prepositional phrase.
1827 G. Thompson Trav. 27I observed with regret the impracticability of leading out the water for irrigating the adjoining lands by dams and ditches, — the usual and only method of cultivating the soil in the interior of Southern Africa.
1990 R. Malan My Traitor’s Heart 32Once a week, water came running down the roadside furrows, and my granny would lead it into her backyard to irrigate her corn, tomatoes, and peaches.
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