IPA: /ˈvɜːrsənt/
KK: /ˈvɜr.sənt/
A slope or side of a hill or mountain, often referring to the angle or steepness of that area.
The hikers chose a challenging route up the versant of the mountain.
Versant is derived from the Latin 'versare' (meaning to turn or to change) and the suffix '-ant' (indicating an agent or something that performs an action). The word 'versant' refers to someone who is knowledgeable or skilled in a particular area, essentially someone who 'turns' their attention or expertise to that subject.
Think of someone who 'turns' their focus ('versare') to become skilled or knowledgeable in a subject — that's what it means to be versant.