penstock Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice
    floodgate; head gate; sluicegate; sluice valve; water gate.
  2. noun conduit that carries a rapid flow of water controlled by a sluicegate
    sluice; sluiceway.

WordNet

Pen"stock noun
Etymology
Etymol. uncertain; perh. fr. pen an inclosure + stock.
Definitions
  1. A close conduit or pipe for conducting water, as, to a water wheel, or for emptying a pond, or for domestic uses.
  2. The barrel of a wooden pump.

Webster 1913