cordelle

[ kawr-del ]

/ kɔrˈdɛl /

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a heavy rope formerly used for towing boats on rivers in Canada and the U.S.

to tow (a boat) by means of a cordelle.

QUIZZES

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Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?

1785–95; <French, diminutive of cordecord

We were compelled to cordelle our boat, and sometimes lift it over the rocks for several rods.
Early Western Travels 1748-1846, Volume XXX|Joel Palmer
Farther up the stream she thought she could discern the party in the yawl, striving to reach shore with the cumbersome cordelle.
A Dream of Empire|William Henry Venable
When sail and oar and setting-pole proved unavailing, the men were out and overboard, running the banks with the cordelle.
The Magnificent Adventure|Emerson Hough
With much ado, with poles and cordelle, we made but five miles.
Scenes and Adventures in the Semi-Alpine Region of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri and Arkansas|Henry Rowe Schoolcraft

The cordelle was a rope, often several hundred yards long, by means of which men towed boats up rapid streams.
Early Western Travels 1748-1846, Volume XIV|Edwin James