brook across meadowland; small river through a field
Refers to a small, natural watercourse flowing through open countryside, fields, or meadows. Often evokes a pastoral or rural scene.
野川のせせらぎが聞こえる。
I can hear the murmur of the brook running through the meadow.
このあたりには小さな野川が
Several small rivers flow through the fields around here.
Compound of 野 (の, 'field, meadow') and 川 (かわ, 'river'), with rendaku voicing of かわ to がわ. The word straightforwardly describes a river or stream flowing through fields.