A water channel or ditch used for drainage, especially in a low-lying area.
Sykes are important for keeping the ground from getting too wet.
Examples:
The farmer dug a sykes to drain the water from the field.
The sykes helped keep the road from flooding.
The water flowed through the sykes and into the river.
The little frog jumped into the sykes and swam away.
The sykes were so full of water, it looked like a little river.
The sykes were like the road for the water to travel on.