ETYM Old Eng. garguilie, gargouille, cf. Spanish gárgola, prob. from the same source as French gorge throat, influenced by Latin gargarizare to gargle. Related to Gorge and cf. Gargle, Gargarize.
1. A grotesquely carved figure of a person or animal.
2. A spout that terminates in a grotesquely carved figure of a person or animal.
3. Grotesquely-carved spout projecting from gutter; excessively ugly face or person.
4. Spout projecting from the roof gutter of a building with the purpose of directing water away from the wall. The term is usually applied to the ornamental forms found in Gothic architecture; these were carved in stone in the form of fantastic animals, angels, or human heads.