from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cul-de-sac \Cul`-de-sac"\ (ku`de-s?k" or kul`de-s?k"), n.; pl.
{Culs-de-sac} (ku`- or kulz`-). [ F., lit., bottom of a bag.]
[1913 Webster]
1. A passage with only one outlet, as a street closed at one
end; a blind alley; hence, a trap.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Mil.) a position in which an army finds itself with no
way of exit but to the front.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Anat.) Any bag-shaped or tubular cavity, vessel, or
organ, open only at one end.
[1913 Webster]