Canotier

/kænəˈtɪər/ noun

Definition

A French word for a boatman or canoeist; a person who operates or travels by canoe or small boat.

Etymology

From French canot (canoe) plus -ier (indicating a person with a profession). Likely borrowed into French from Arawakan languages through colonial contact.

Kelly Says

French canotiers were essential to colonial exploration—these skilled boatmen navigated rivers no European maps showed, making them invisible heroes of exploration.

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