headcut

English

Etymology

From head +‎ cut.

Noun

headcut (plural headcuts)

1. An erosional feature of some intermittent and perennial streams with an abrupt vertical drop (knickpoint) in the stream bed.
   • 2007, Susan L. Woodward, “Modern Vegetation of the Murray Springs Area and the Upper San Pedro Valley”, in Caleb Vance Haynes, Bruce B. Huckell, editor, Murray Springs, page 58:

     Above the lower headcut, phreatophytic mesquite and little leaf sumac hug the banks, drawing pendulate water from the silts remaining from former marsh deposits and sending long taproots into channel stores.