a long narrow excavation dug in the earth for defence, drainage, irrigation, etc [Old English dīc dyke, ditch]
to dig ditches throughout (an area) for drainage, etcto make a forced landing of (an aircraft) on waterof a pilot: to come down in the seainformal to get rid of or abandon (a plan, project, etc)NAmer, informal to play truant from (school) verb intransto dig ditches or repair themsaid of a pilot: to come down in the seaditcher nounditching noun