plumbing

Etymology

noun

1. The pipes, together with the joints, tanks, stopcocks, taps, and other fixtures of a water, gas, or sewage system in a house or other building.
   Water was dripping from the ceiling, so we figured there was a problem with the plumbing.
2. The trade or occupation of a plumber.
3. (informal) A system of vessels or ducts in the human body, especially the genitourinary system.
   My plumbing was playing up, so I had to see the doctor.
   ‹Why did I always think the ladies' room would be less gross? How do you girls freaking miss with your plumbing!?› 30 June 2017, Jocelyn Samara D., Rain (webcomic), Comic 966 - Déjà vu
4. (informal, figurative) Practical, concrete work serving to support other work.
   This is not scientific research as such: it's just plumbing.
5. (countable) A Murasugi sum where each disk summed along has its boundary subdivided into four segments.