driftage

American  

[drif-tij] / ˈdrɪf tɪdʒ /

noun

1. the action or an amount of drifting.

2. drifted matter.

3. Navigation. the amount of drift away from a set course as a result of wind and currents.

4. windage.

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driftage British  

/ ˈdrɪftɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act of drifting

2. matter carried along or deposited by drifting

3. the amount by which an aircraft or vessel has drifted from its intended course

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Etymology

Origin of driftage

First recorded in 1760–70; drift + -age

Example Sentences

Also they were scrubs—the dirty driftage of the fight game, without honor, without efficiency.

From The Night-Born by London, Jack

No more man-wrought driftage came our way, but other signs multiplied.

From 1492 by Johnston, Mary

So, instead of making speed through the water toward deep sea, I hove the Elsinore to on the starboard tack with no more than leeway driftage to the west and south.

From The Mutiny of the Elsinore by London, Jack

A current sweeps the shore and runs through it like it was a big funnel, and all the driftage hereabouts comes into the lagoon.

From Fire Mountain A Thrilling Sea Story by Springer, Norman

The flat-boat that was moored down at Galpin's "dock"—four railroad ties roped together—was none too substantial looking, having been built by Galpin himself from odds and ends picked up from scrap heaps and driftage.

From Boy Scouts of the Air on Lost Island by Stuart, Gordon