a stream which leaves the main branch then later returns

Senses

returning stream

(bound form) a stream that diverges from a main river and then flows back into it

[river/place name]

(bound form) name of a river in Henan Province; used in place names like 汜水 sì​shuǐ

stagnant water

(literary) water with no outlet; a pool of stagnant water

water's edge

(literary) a riverbank or the edge of a body of water

References

see 汜/汜 汜水/汜水