cordelle

American  

[kawr-del] / kɔrˈdɛl /

noun

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

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verb (used with object)

cordelled, cordelling

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

Etymology

Origin of cordelle

1785–95; < French, diminutive of corde cord

Example Sentences

The former is much in the shape of a canal boat, long, slim-built, sharp at each end, and propelled by setting poles and the cordelle or long rope.

From A New Guide for Emigrants to the West by Peck, John Mason

Let’s go in the skiff; we can row and cordelle it up the river again, though it is a job.”

From The Hoosier School-boy by Eggleston, Edward

They made good time, but it was mostly cordelle work.

From The Young Alaskans on the Missouri by Hough, Emerson

The only French word left by the old voyageurs, so far as I now remember, is "cordelle," to tow a boat by a rope carried along the shore.

From The Hoosier Schoolmaster A Story of Backwoods Life in Indiana by Eggleston, Edward

Big men, bearded and powerful, pushing up stream with the cordelle on their shoulders!

From The River and I by Neihardt, John G.