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Meaning of headgate in English:

headgate

noun

  • 1A gate for controlling the entry of water into a sluice, channel, etc.; specifically a gate or pair of gates at the upstream end of a canal lock.

  • 2A gate at the end of a cage, pen, or chute, used as an aid to handling livestock, which allows the head to pass through but restrains the shoulders.

Origin

Late 18th century; earliest use found in John Smeaton (1724–1792), civil engineer.