noun
web; webbing
Refers to the skin membrane between fingers or toes of aquatic animals, or sometimes humans.
カエルの足には水かきがある。
Frogs have webbing on their feet.
アヒルの水かきは泳ぐのに役立つ。
A duck's webbed feet help it swim.
noun
paddle; paddle blade
Refers to the flat blade of a paddle or oar, or the paddle itself. Less common than the webbing sense.
カヌーの水かきが折れてしまった。
The paddle blade of the canoe broke.
Single kanji for webbing; rare and mainly used in technical or zoological contexts.
Compound of 水 (mizu, 'water') and 掻き (kaki, 'scratching' or 'paddling'), from 掻く (kaku). The meaning 'web' likely comes from the resemblance to a membrane used for paddling in water.