souterrain

[ soo-tuh-reyn, soo-tuh-reyn ]

/ ˌsu təˈreɪn, ˈsu təˌreɪn /

a subterranean passage or structure; grotto.

Origin of souterrain

1725–35; < French: literally, underground, calque of Latin subterrāneus; see sous-sous, terrain

It is a small fort, and on the top we saw the narrow entrance to the souterrain.

Ulster Folklore |Elizabeth Andrews
She describes it as "a souterrain containing six chambers, with a length of eighty-seven feet exclusive of a flooded chamber."

Ulster Folklore |Elizabeth Andrews
On the other hand, there appears to be no objection to growing crops on the top of a souterrain.

Ulster Folklore |Elizabeth Andrews
In many cases we do find the entrance to a souterrain is in a fort.

Ulster Folklore |Elizabeth Andrews

My best thanks are also due to Mrs. Hobson for allowing me to make use of her photograph of the entrance to this souterrain.

Ulster Folklore |Elizabeth Andrews

souterrain

/ (ˈsuːtəˌreɪn) /

archaeol an underground chamber or passage

C18: from French