The Collaborative International Dictionary
Sump men
Sump \Sump\, n. [Cf. G. sumpf a sump in a mine, a swamp, akin to LG. sump, D. somp a swamp, Dan. & Sw. sump, and perhaps to E. swamp.]
(Metal.) A round pit of stone, lined with clay, for receiving the metal on its first fusion.
--Ray.The cistern or reservoir made at the lowest point of a mine, from which is pumped the water which accumulates there.
A pond of water for salt works.
--Knight.-
A puddle or dirty pool. [Prov. Eng.]
Sump fuse, a fuse used in blasting under water.
Sump men (Mining), the men who sink the sump in a mine.