IPA: /ˈwɔːtərkɔːrs/
KK: /ˈwɔːtərˌkɔrs/
A path or channel where water moves, such as a river or stream.
The watercourse ran through the valley, providing a habitat for many animals.
Watercourse is formed from "water" (from Old English *wæter*, meaning liquid that falls as rain or flows in rivers) and "course" (from Latin *cursus*, meaning a running or flow). The word describes a natural or artificial channel through which water flows.
Think of 'water' as the liquid flowing and 'course' as the path it takes — together, they describe a path for water to flow.