Type
Sea
Area of origin
UK
Area of use
International
The returning action of a wave after the swash, which carries water up the beach. The angle of the backwash is perpendicular to the shoreline whereas the angle of the swash depends on the direction of prevailing winds and currents, the difference between these two angles accounts for the movement of material along the beach called “longshore drift”.
Etymology
English – “wash” + “back”