Mad about obstacle (3)

I believe the answer is:
dam
'obstacle' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'mad about' is the wordplay.
'about' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'mad' backwards is 'DAM'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dam that I've seen before include "Barrier to contain the flow of water" , "Mother of quadruped" , "Mother - barrier" , "Water barrier, quite mad" , "River blockage" .)
