noun

1. a separation by force
2. Med. the tearing away of a structure or part by surgical traction or by accident
3. a structure, part, etc. separated by force
4. the sudden removal of a person's land by the action of water, as by flood or change in the course of a stream, without a resulting loss of ownership

Etymology: L avulsio < a-, from + pp. of vellere, to pull: see revulsion