gargoyle

gargoyle.
A spout in the form of a grotesque figure—animal, human, or monstrous—projecting from a cornice or parapet and allowing the water from the roof gutters to escape clear of the walls. There are many examples on Gothic cathedrals and churches throughout Europe, bearing witness to the lively imagination of medieval craftsmen. In the 14th and 15th centuries, sculptures similar to gargoyles but not serving their function were used to decorate walls, and the term gargoyle is sometimes loosely applied to these. With the introduction of lead drainpipes in the 16th century gargoyles were no longer needed, but examples were occasionally made in lead.