Swirl of water

EDDY

Think of a small circular current often found where a river meets an obstacle, like a rock or bridge pillar. Sailors and kayakers might watch for these to avoid getting pulled off course.

"Swirl of water" directly points to "eddy," which is a small whirlpool or circular current often seen in rivers or streams. The word itself doesn’t involve wordplay—it’s a straightforward definition where the clue describes the answer’s literal meaning. If you’ve ever watched water spin in a bathtub drain or a river bend, that’s essentially an eddy in action.