balk
n. countable C2 Proficiency US //ˈbɑɫk// UK //bˈɔːlk// balk
n. a small, round pile of earth or stones. You might see these in a field or on a hillside.
n. a small, rounded mound of earth or stones. Often found in agricultural or archaeological contexts, particularly in the British Isles.
The farmer found a small balk in the middle of the field.
From Middle English balke, from Old English balca, either from or influenced by Old Norse bálkr (“partition, ridge of land”), from Proto-Germanic *balkô. Cognate with Dutch balk (“balk”), German Balken (“balk”), Italian balcone (“balcony”).
From Middle English balok, ballok (“knob”), from Old English bealluc (“testicle”, literally “little ball”). Doublet of ballock and bollocks.