Artesian \Ar*te"sian\, a. [F. art['e]sien, fr. Artois in France, where many such wells have been made since the middle of the last century.]

Of or pertaining to Artois (anciently called Artesium), in France.

Artesian wells, wells made by boring into the earth till the instrument reaches water, which, from internal pressure, flows spontaneously like a fountain. They are usually of small diameter and often of great depth.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)