cesspool

• cess pool, sesspool

From earlier sesspool. Origin uncertain.

From cessare (“to remove, to cause to withdraw”)[1]. Alternatively, an alteration of English dialectal suspool, from suss, soss (“puddle; mire”) +‎ pool. Another possible derivation is from a folk etymology (influence from pool) from earlier cesperalle, alteration of Middle English suspiral, from Middle French souspirail (“air hole”), from soupirer, souspirer (“to sigh, breathe”), from Latin suspirare.

• IPA^(key): /ˈsɛsˌpuːl/

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cesspool (plural cesspools)

1. An underground pit where sewage is held.
2. (by extension) A filthy place.

• cesspit
• gongpit

• septic tank