Plural of fyke, which is a type of fish trap or weir used in fishing, typically made of woven materials and designed to catch fish as they swim through.
From Middle Dutch 'fuik' or similar Germanic roots, related to Old English fishing terminology. The word traveled through trade languages and became established in English dialects, particularly in regions with active fishing industries.
Fykes are mentioned in medieval English and Dutch fishing records, showing how specific fishing technologies gave rise to specialized vocabulary that persisted for centuries—some modern fish traps are still designed on the same basic principle!
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