A narrow valley or ravine, especially one with a small stream running through it; also spelled 'cleugh' in Scottish English.
From Old English 'cloh' meaning gorge or ravine, possibly related to Proto-Germanic 'kloh-' (to split or divide). The term remained in regional British dialects, particularly in Scotland and Northern England.
Cleach names are scattered across British topography—Cleachhead, Cleachburn—and they perfectly describe the landscape: deep enough to split the hillside, narrow enough to miss if you weren't looking.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.