debouch

[ dih-boosh, -bouch ]

verb (used without object)

1. to march out from a narrow or confined place into open country, as a body of troops:

   The platoon debouched from the defile into the plain.

2. Physical Geography.
   1. to emerge from a relatively narrow valley upon an open plain:

      A river or glacier debouches on the plains.

   2. to flow from a small valley into a larger one.
3. to come forth; emerge.

noun

1. débouché.

debouch

/ dɪˈbaʊtʃ /

verb

1. intr (esp of troops) to move into a more open space, as from a narrow or concealed place
2. intr (of a river, glacier, etc) to flow from a valley into a larger area or body

noun

1. Also calleddébouchédebuʃe fortifications an outlet or passage, as for the exit of troops

Word History and Origins

Origin of debouch¹

1655–65; < French déboucher, equivalent to dé- dis- ¹ + -boucher, verbal derivative of bouche mouth < Latin bucca cheek, jaw

Word History and Origins

Origin of debouch¹

C18: from French déboucher, from dé- dis ¹+ bouche mouth, from Latin bucca cheek

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the 1st Corps crossed Rheims, with orders to debouch at Btheny.

From Project Gutenberg

Do they run down walls of ovarium, and then turn up the placenta, and so debouch near the "orifices" of the ovules?

From Project Gutenberg

They have begun to flow in Bedes day; they never cease to flow until they debouch in Domesday Book.

From Project Gutenberg

The enemy thus found it impossible to debouch from the village or to work round the left flank.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile on the left the line had been heavily shelled, and the enemy made several attempts to debouch from Fremicourt.

From Project Gutenberg