gash
n.n. a very deep or wide cut in your skin. It is a strong word that people use when they are hurt badly.
n. a deep or wide cut or wound in the flesh. Often used in military or informal contexts to describe a severe injury.
He got a gash on his leg while hiking.
The soldier had a deep gash on his forehead that required immediate medical attention.
The rescue team worked quickly to stop the bleeding from the gash in the hiker's arm before moving him to a safer location.
Alteration of older garsh, from Middle English garsen, from Old French garser, jarsier (Modern French gercer), from Vulgar Latin *charaxāre, from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “engraver”).
From French gâcher (“to waste, to mess up”) or gâchis (“waste, a mess”), likely borrowed into English by ships' crews in the 19th century. Became increasingly vulgar by association with Etymology 1.
From ghastful, by association with gash.