trench

transitive verb

1. to cut, cut into, cut off, etc.; slice, gash, etc.
2. 1. to cut a deep furrow or furrows in
   2. to dig a ditch or ditches in
3. to surround or fortify with trenches; entrench

Origin: LME trenchen < OFr trenchier (Fr trancher), to cut, hack, prob. < L truncare, to cut off: see truncate

intransitive verb

1. to dig a ditch or ditches, as for fortification
2. to infringe (on or upon another's land, rights, time, etc.)
3. to verge or border (on); come close

noun

1. a deep furrow in the ground, ocean floor, etc.
2. a long, narrow ditch dug by soldiers for cover and concealment, with the removed earth heaped up in front

Origin: ME < OFr trenche (Fr tranche, a slice) < trencher