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rooster tail

American  

noun

  1. the wake thrown up behind a speeding boat or the dust thrown up behind a speeding vehicle.


Etymology

Origin of rooster tail

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A speedboat trails “a rooster tail of foamy wake.”

From Washington Post • Jan. 4, 2023

“It also produces a huge rooster tail of sample material.”

From Time • Jun. 22, 2016

“He’s got this 50-foot putt and there is so much water that there’s this big rooster tail across the green and he drops it in the hole.”

From Washington Times • Sep. 4, 2014

The lower temperatures have left many bugs in vulnerable stages to be munched on by these aggressive trout, so bring a fly rod or a rooster tail and get ready to have a blast.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 24, 2012

They kicked up a rooster tail of steam that made it almost impossible for Jason to see where they were going.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan