To erode or wear away rock, soil, or sediment through the abrasive action of flowing water, wind, or ice. Scouring creates features like potholes in riverbeds and channels in landscapes.
From Middle Dutch 'scuren' meaning 'to clean by rubbing,' from Latin 'excurare' (to clean thoroughly). The geological meaning developed as the cleaning action was applied to how water and wind 'clean out' or erode landscape features.
Try Another Word