The water that collects in the bilge of a ship through leakage or otherwise, and becomes disgustingly foul and noxious.
1706. Phillips, Bildge-Water, that water which … cannot come to the Well in the Ship’s Hold.
1751. Smollett, Per. Pic., lx. May I be bound to eat oakum and drink bilge-water for life.
1840. R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, ii. 3. That inexpressibly sickening smell, caused by the shaking up of the bilge-water in the hold.
