Canada and U.S. [f. prec. sb.] trans. To tow (a boat) with a cordelle.
1838. S. Parker, Explor. Tour Rocky Mts. (1846), 144. The men of the Hudson’s Bay Company cordelled several batteaux down this rapid—part of the men going in the boats, and part on shore cordelling.
1885. U. S. Grant, Mem., II. xli. 37. To get up these rapids, steamers must be cordelled.
