coffle

[ kaw-fuhl, kof-uhl ]

/ ˈkɔ fəl, ˈkɒf əl /

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noun

a line of animals, prisoners, or slaves chained and driven along together.

verb (used with object), cof·fled, cof·fling.

to chain in a coffle.

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Origin of coffle

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Arabic qāfilah “caravan, company of travelers”

Words nearby coffle

coffin, coffin bone, coffin corner, coffinite, coffin nail, coffle, Coff's Harbour, C of I, cofinal, cofound, cofounder

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use coffle in a sentence

This sad and weeping fifty, in handcuffs and chains, was the last slave coffle that shall tread the soil of America.
The Boys of '61|Charles Carleton Coffin.
He was collecting a coffle of slaves, with a view to sell them to the Europeans on the Gambia as soon as the rains should be over.
Travels in the Interior of Africa, Vol. 2 [of 2]|Mungo Park
I found him sitting in his baloon, surrounded by several slatees who proposed to join the coffle.
Travels in the Interior of Africa, Vol. 2 [of 2]|Mungo Park
Her load was taken from her and given to another slave, and she was ordered to keep in the front of the coffle.
Travels in the Interior of Africa, Vol. 2 [of 2]|Mungo Park

One of the slaves, it seems, had hurt his foot, and the night being very dark they soon lost sight of the coffle.
Travels in the Interior of Africa, Vol. 2 [of 2]|Mungo Park

British Dictionary definitions for coffle

coffle

/ (ˈkɒfəl) /

noun

(esp formerly) a line of slaves, beasts, etc, fastened together

Word Origin for coffle

C18: from Arabic qāfilah caravan

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012