water snake

any of numerous and widely distributed harmless snakes of the genus Natrix, inhabiting areas in or near fresh water.

any of various other snakes living in or frequenting water.

(initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Hydrus.

Origin of water snake

First recorded in 1595–1605

He took the water-snake for a rotten tree, and stepped upon it, and it buried its teeth in his flesh.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 367, May 1846 |Various
The daughter of the Miko of the Oconees knows how to strike the water-snake.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 367, May 1846 |Various
A lapping of the water against the brittle flags and a water-snake has splashed away to some dark haunt.

The Story of the Trapper |A. C. Laut
They met with no people on the isle; but saw a large bat, and some birds, and caught a water-snake.

A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 14 |Robert Kerr

He raced after a fearsome Water-snake on a sunny bank, and, scared by the fury of his onslaught, the Snake slipped out of sight.

Bannertail |Ernest Thompson Seton

water snake

any of various colubrid snakes that live in or near water, esp any of numerous harmless North American snakes of the genus Natrix, such as N. sipedon