noun The water held back by a dam or other obstruction.
noun A remote place: somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc; any field of endeavor that figuratively resembles such a place.
an academic backwater
noun A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water
noun Water used in the papermaking process. Recycled to reduce usage of fresh water, and usually containing residual amounts of chemicals and fibres.