also: ぎゃくろう · げきろう
noun
choppy seas; head sea
Refers to waves moving against the direction of a vessel or current; a nautical term for rough, opposing water conditions.
船は逆波に悩まされながら進んだ。
The ship advanced while being troubled by head seas.
逆波が高く、釣りは難しかった。
The head sea was high, making fishing difficult.
Compound of 逆 (saka, 'opposite, reverse') and 波 (nami, 'wave'). The on'yomi readings ぎゃくろう and げきろう are Sino-Japanese compounds of the same characters.