noun
concave roof tile
In traditional Japanese roofing, the concave tile that is laid with the hollow side up to channel water; paired with the convex 牡瓦 (おがわら).
日本建築の屋根には、牝瓦と牡瓦が交互に葺かれている。
On the roofs of traditional Japanese buildings, concave tiles and convex tiles are laid alternately.
The convex counterpart tile that covers the joints between 牝瓦; together they form a traditional interlocking roof system.
Compound of 牝 (め, 'female') and 瓦 (かわら, 'tile'), referring to the concave shape that receives the convex 'male' tile.