also: みずじめ
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
water-binding; compaction by watering; hydraulic filling
Technical term in civil engineering and construction: compacting soil or filling by applying water, often used for earthwork or foundation preparation.
盛土の水締めを行ってから基礎を築く。
After water-compacting the embankment, we build the foundation.
水締め工法は、砂質土の締固めに有効だ。
The hydraulic filling method is effective for compacting sandy soil.
Compound of 水 (water) and 締め (tightening, compaction). The reading しめ is the native Japanese reading of 締め, while じめ is a voiced variant often seen in compounds.