prop wash

prop wash (countable and uncountable, plural prop washes)

1. (aviation, nautical) The disturbed mass of air or water pushed aft (or fore when in reverse) by the propeller of an aircraft or propeller-driven watercraft.
   • 2005, Paul Carter, Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs, Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, page 23:

     The plane's large rear doors swallowed up my friend in superfast time, its departure sandblasting everyone in red prop wash as it vaporised down the main street and into the afternoon's dust-bowl sky.

2. Byproduct of thrust produced by a propeller.
3. (aviation, nautical, humorous) In military or other social organizations involving aircraft or boats, a mythical substance supposedly used to wash propellers.

   We sent the new recruit to obtain a bucket of prop wash.

• jet blast
• rotor wash