slough

noun

1. the skin of a snake, esp. the outer layer that is periodically cast off
2. any castoff layer, covering, etc.: often used figuratively
3. Med. a mass of dead tissue in, or separating from, living tissue or an ulceration

Origin: ME slouh, akin to Ger schlauch, a skin, bag < IE base *sleu-, to glide, slip > Latvian sl'užât, to slide

intransitive verb

1. 1. to be shed, cast off, or discarded; come off
   2. to drop off; become fewer or less
2. to shed skin or other covering
3. Med. to separate from the surrounding tissue: said of dead tissue

Origin: < the n.

transitive verb

1. to shed or throw (off) as or like slough; get rid of
2. Bridge to get rid of (a card); discard

noun

1. a place, as a hollow, full of soft, deep mud

2. Origin: after Slough of Despond, a deep swamp in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

   deep, hopeless dejection or discouragement
3. moral degradation
4. a swamp, bog, or marsh, esp. one that is part of an inlet or backwater

Origin: ME slowe < OE sloh, akin to MLowG slōch, swamp < IE base *sklēk, wet > slack