aguaje

(Sp. model spelled same [agwáxe] < Latin aquam 'water' and the Spanish suffix -aje 'abundance of')

   SW: Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California, according to the DM. According to Hoy, "any place for obtaining water." The DRAE notes an older, maritime usage meaning a provision of water or a place for obtaining potable water. All Spanish sources also note its usage as a watering hole, spring, or drinking trough for wild or domesticated animals, particularly cattle. The borderlands cowboy was undoubtedly familiar with this term since potable water in the desert regions of the Southwest was a primary concern for both humans and animals.