E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Gargouille, or Gargoil (g hard).
A water-spout in church architecture. Sometimes also spelt Gurgoyle. They are usually carved into some fantastic shape, such as a dragon’s head, through which the water flows. Gargouille was the great dragon that lived in the Seine, ravaged Rouen, and was slain by St. Roma’nus, Bishop of Rouen, in the seventh century. (See DRAGON.)
