posthole

[ pohst-hohl ]

/ ˈpoʊstˌhoʊl /

a hole dug in the earth for setting in the end of a post, as for a fence.

Archaeology. an excavated hole showing by its shape and by the remains of wood or other debris that it was once filled by a post.

Origin of posthole

First recorded in 1695–1705; post¹ + hole

Make the holes for the posts with a post-hole auger, two feet deep; set in the posts, charred on one end, to make them durable.

The Cultivation of The Native Grape, and Manufacture of American Wines |George Husmann
One can rake over an acre more easily than dig one post-hole.

Picture-Work |Walter L. (Walter Lowrie) Hervey
The dirt blew from a post-hole in the hillside and left the hole sticking out of the ground about two feet with no dirt around it.

The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 4 |Various