A dam in the form of an embankment of compacted natural materials such as soil and gravel, often with a core or lining of impermeable material such as clay puddle or concrete.
Origin
Early 19th century.
Definition of earth dam in US English:
earth dam
noun
A dam in the form of an embankment of compacted natural materials such as soil and gravel, often with a core or lining of impermeable material such as clay puddle or concrete.