expression, godan verb (-ru)
cut through the waves; plow through the waves
Describes a boat, ship, or swimmer moving forward through water, often with a sense of steady progress.
船が波を切って進んでいく。
The ship cuts through the waves and moves forward.
Means 'to undulate' or 'to ripple,' describing a wave-like motion, not forward movement through water.
A straightforward compound of 波 (wave) + を (object marker) + 切る (cut). The expression is transparent and likely a natural extension of the verb's meaning.