greater waterfall (of a pair)
Refers to the larger or main waterfall when two are present together, often contrasted with 雌滝 (めだき, 'female waterfall'). Used in place names and nature descriptions.
In this valley there are two waterfalls: the greater waterfall and the lesser waterfall.
雄滝の迫力は圧巻だ。
The power of the greater waterfall is breathtaking.
Standard kanji form; 雄 means 'male' or 'greater' in this context.
Variant kanji form using 男 ('male'); less common but still used.
Compound of 雄 (お, 'male; greater') + 滝 (たき, 'waterfall'). The reading おだき reflects rendaku voicing of たき to だき.