Befreight

/bɪˈfreɪt/ verb

Definition

To load cargo onto a ship; to charge with or burden with freight.

Etymology

From 'be-' prefix plus 'freight' (from Middle Dutch 'vracht', cargo). In nautical terminology, this meant to fully load a vessel with goods for transport.

Kelly Says

This maritime term shows how 'be-' worked in trade languages—if a ship was 'befreighted,' it wasn't just carrying some cargo, it was completely loaded down, packed to capacity with goods for trade routes.

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