とも【塘】 : tomo | define meaning

A place name in Kumamoto located near a large river embankment is called とも【塘】 tomo. The term itself is of Sino-Japanese origin, likely stemming from a compound of とう【塘】 tou "dike; embankment" and ぼう【防】 bou "dam; defense".  Compare the standard Japanese equivalent ていぼう【堤防】 teibou, which is a compound of てい【堤】 tei "dike" and ぼう【防】 bou "dam; defense".