With a LAMINAR FLOW, we are dealing with a uniform flow without turbulence. Imagine that the water flows evenly and in a straight line along different levels that do not mix. This also makes the translation understandable, because “laminar” comes from the Latin “lamina” for “plate” or “sheet.” If you're thinking of laminate right now, you're absolutely right, because this term also originates from “lamina.” The opposite of a LAMINAR FLOW to get back to the water is, by the way, a turbulent flow.