ETYM Old Eng. dich, orig. the same word as dik. Related to Dike.
(Irregular plural: ditches).
1. A long narrow excavation in the earth.
2. Any small natural waterway.

ETYM Earlier rivolet, Italian rivoletto, a dim. from rivolo, Latin rivulus, dim. of rivus a brook. cf. Rival, Rite.
A small stream; SYN. rill, run, runnel, streamlet.