backwash

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A backward flow of water, as from the action of oars.
2. n. See backrush.
3. n. A backward flow of air, as from the propeller of an aircraft.
4. n. A result of an event; an aftermath.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. To cleanse from oil, as wool after combing.
2. To subject to the back-wash of a boat which is ahead or is passing.
3. n. In worsted manuf., a process of cleaning the carded sliver of wool by passing it through hot suds.
4. n. The disturbed water thrown aft by the action of the oars, paddle-wheels, or propeller of a boat.

Wiktionary

1. n. nautical The backward flow of water from oars or propeller.
2. n. The similar flow of air from an aircraft engine.
3. n. The result or consequence of an event; an aftermath.
4. n. The saliva, spit or food particles that have flowed back into a drink after someone has drunk from it.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. v. To clean the oil from (wool) after combing.
2. v. (Chem.) To clean (a filter, a chromatography column, a water softener, etc.) by passing liquid through in the reverse of the normal direction of flow. This procedure dislodges particles which clog the pores of the filter or column packing, removing them from the filter or column.
3. n. The flow of water propelled backward by the propeller, paddle wheel, or oars of a boat.
4. n. (Aeron.) The backward flowing air within the wash of an airplane, caused mostly by the engine.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. the wave that spreads behind a boat as it moves forward
2. n. the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)
3. n. the flow of air that is driven backwards by an aircraft propeller