water-fear

Noun

water fear (countable and uncountable, plural water fears)

1. A lack of affinity for water; hydrophobia.
   • Both men and animals afflicted with rabies dread the appearance of water or any other liquid; hence the term, hydrophobia, or water-fear.1921, Harold Melvin Stanford, The Standard Reference Work
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see water, fear.
   • One type of water fear harbored by many youngsters is directly traceable to an unfortunate childhood experience.1947, The Journal of Health and Physical Education, volume 18, page 304