shadoof

• shadouf, shaduf

From Egyptian Arabic شادوف (šadūf).

• IPA^(key): /ʃəˈduːf/, enPR: shə-do͞of'

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• Rhymes: -uːf
• Hyphenation: sha‧doof

shadoof (plural shadoofs)

1. An ancient device used to gather water, consisting of a pivoted stick with a bucket on the end of it.

   Synonyms: dhenkli, picota, counterpoise-lift, swape

   • 1914 August, Popular Mechanics, volume 22, number 2, page 172:

     The shadoof can be traced back 5,400 years, or to about 3500 B. C., and the indications are that it was considered an ancient device even at that remote time. It is much like the old-fashioned well sweep, consisting of a pivoted pole, supported on two uprights, at one end of which is suspended a rope or pole with a bucket at the lower end.