Batteaux

/bæˈtoʊz/ noun

Definition

Plural of batteau; multiple flat-bottomed boats used on rivers and waterways.

Etymology

French plural of 'bateau' (boat), maintaining the French '-eaux' plural ending in English. Common in historical colonial American texts.

Kelly Says

Colonial traders would use whole fleets of batteaux to move goods down rivers—it was the most efficient way to transport trade goods before railways existed!

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