scrubbing and washing; kitchen work; wet work
Refers to household chores involving water, such as washing dishes, laundry, and cleaning. Often used in contexts discussing rough hands or cold-weather discomfort.
In winter, my hands get rough from doing wet work.
She does kitchen work every day.
Compound of 水 (water) and 仕事 (work). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning is transparent from its components.