\Wa"ter*spout`\, n.
A remarkable meteorological phenomenon, of the nature of a
tornado or whirlwind, usually observed over the sea, but
sometimes over the land.
Note: Tall columns, apparently of cloud, and reaching from
      the sea to the clouds, are seen moving along, often
      several at once, sometimes straight and vertical, at
      other times inclined and tortuous, but always in rapid
      rotation. At their bases, the sea is violently agitated
      and heaped up with a leaping or boiling motion, water,
      at least in some cases, being actually carried up in
      considerable quantity, and scattered round from a great
      height, as solid bodies are by tornadoes on land. --Sir
      J. Herschel.