overslaugh

noun

1. (US, archaic, dialectal)A barrier in a river.

   “Let him look at the plan of 1832, to which the act of 1834 refers, and upon which it is founded, and he will find that it contains detailed estimates of the expense of clearing out not only the overslaugh, but also the obstructions between Albany and Troy.”

   “The opening in dike No. 1 at the overslaugh was completed with the exception of deepening the cut, which could only be done at midsummer.”

2. (archaic)The permission to skip a duty; an exemption from an active duty.

   “When an officer is on duty he receives an "overslaugh" for all other duties that come to his turn, provided that they are not additional duties that he may be called on to perform .”

   “When an officer's tour for more than one duty comes round on the same date, he is to be detailed for that duty only which has the precedence in the classification in para. 2, Sec. 8, H.M. Reg.; and he is to receive an overslaugh for any other duty, the date being filled in for the duty performed, and a — [ blank line ] drawn in the column of the duty for which he receives the overslaugh .”

verb

1. (US, archaic, dialectal, slang, transitive)To hinder or stop, as by an overslaugh or impediment.

   “to overslaugh a bill in a legislative body”

   “to overslaugh a military officer (= to hinder his promotion or employment)”