gargoyle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a spout that terminates in a grotesquely carved figure of a person or animal
  2. noun an ornament consisting of a grotesquely carved figure of a person or animal

WordNet

Gar"goyle noun
Etymology
OE. garguilie, gargouille, cf. Sp. gárgola, prob. fr. the same source as F. gorge throat, influenced by L. gargarizare to gargle. See Gorge and cf. Gargle, Gargarize.
Definitions
  1. (Arch.) A spout projecting from the roof gutter of a building, often carved grotesquely. Written also gargle, gargyle, and gurgoyle.

Webster 1913