DOWNS, a bank or elevation of sand, which the sea gathers and forms along its shores; and which serves it as a barrier. The word is formed from the French dune, of the Celtic dum, a "mountain." Charles de Visch, in his Compend. Chronolog. Exord. et Progress. Abbat. Clariss. B. Mariae, de Dunis, says, Vallem reperit arenarum collibus (quos incolae Duynen vocant) undique cinctam.