n.
   - a shallow trough beneath the edge of a roof, or a channel at the side of a street, for carrying off rainwater. 
▸technical a groove or channel for flowing liquid.
 - 
(the gutter)
 a poor or squalid existence or environment.
 - the blank space between facing pages of a book or between adjacent columns of type or stamps in a sheet.
 
v.
  - (of a flame) flicker and burn unsteadily.
 - archaic make channels in.
 
 
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr. gotiere, from L. gutta ‘a drop’.