Chūte, n.

(shōōt), n. [Fr. chute, O. Fr. cheute, from cheoir, choir, cheir, chair, to fall, from Lat. cadere, to fall; It. caduta, Pr. cascata, chaegreda.]

1. A rapid descent in a river.
2. An opening in a river-dam for the descent of logs, &c.
3. A framework or tube through which articles are made to slide from a higher to a lower level.

Simmonds.