1. Plural of aboiteau; a sluice gate or tide gate used in coastal areas to control water flow and prevent tidal flooding.
Usage: chiefly Canadian; regional; also spelled 'aboiteaux'

Examples

• The aboiteaus along the Bay of Fundy help manage the extreme tidal ranges.
• Farmers in Nova Scotia rely on aboiteaus to protect their low-lying fields from saltwater intrusion.
• The old aboiteaus were constructed to allow freshwater drainage while blocking incoming tides.
• Engineers inspected the aboiteaus after the storm to ensure they were functioning properly.