A deep cut or wound, usually from something sharp; or a large opening or crack.
Possibly from Old Norse 'gaskr' meaning 'to gape' or related to 'gasp.' The word emerged in English around the 16th century, possibly influenced by French 'gâche.' The meaning originally referred to any opening that seemed to gape open.
The word might come from the same root as 'gape'—both suggesting something wide open—so a 'gash' in your leg or a 'gash' in a fence are using the same image of openness and separation!
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