Roostertail

Origin

From rooster + tail, from analogy with the shape of a rooster's feathered tail.

Full definition of roostertail

Noun

1. A violent fountain or spray, especially one caused by a moving vehicle or boat.
• A roostertail of snow kicked up behind me.

Verb

1. To pour like a fountain; to spurt violently.
• The red dust of Tanguieta rolling and roostertailing behind us.
2. To move rapidly through water, leaving a roostertail wake.
• The shiny new aluminum tribal Jet-Boat roostertailed up the river, straight for us, kicking up a wake that rocked our boat hard enough to knock the cards off the cooler.

Usage notes

To refer to the actual tail of a rooster, "rooster's tail" or "rooster tail" are usually used.