Also means
to sink (a ship)
Usage Note
Couler describes the natural movement of water — la rivière coule ('the river flows') — but also the sinking of a vessel: le bateau a coulé. In everyday speech, couler de source ('to flow from the source') is an idiom meaning something is self-evident or follows naturally.
Examples
"L'eau coule sous le pont."
Natural Translation
The water flows under the bridge.
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