billabong

[ bil-uh-bawng, -bong ]

/ ˈbɪl əˌbɔŋ, -ˌbɒŋ /

a branch of a river flowing away from the main stream but leading to no other body of water; a blind or dead-end channel.

a creek bed holding water only in the rainy season; a dried-up watercourse.

a stagnant backwater or slough formed by receding floodwater.

Origin of billabong

1830–40; < Wiradjuri bilabaŋ creek that runs only during the rainy season, equivalent to bila river + baŋ possessive suffix

Only, motors and Billabong don't go hand in hand—we've always stuck to horses, haven't we, Mr. Jim?

Back To Billabong |Mary Grant Bruce
But I drove the old buggy away from Billabong, and I'll drive home now.

Back To Billabong |Mary Grant Bruce
No one can say the Billabong representative doesn't look fit.

Back To Billabong |Mary Grant Bruce
It was the third day of the struggle with death over the Hermit's unconscious body, and again twilight was falling upon Billabong.

A Little Bush Maid |Mary Grant Bruce

He's shaping as well as anyone could expect; but he won't always have Billabong at his back.

Back To Billabong |Mary Grant Bruce

billabong

/ (ˈbɪləˌbɒŋ) /

a backwater channel that forms a lagoon or pool

a branch of a river running to a dead end

C19: from a native Australian language, from billa river + bong dead