Also 8 balza. [Sp. ‘a boat.’ Minsheu, 1623.] A raft, or fishing-float, used chiefly on the Pacific coasts of South America.
1778. Robertson, Hist. Amer., II. VII. 320. Where the rivers became deep … they are passed in Balzas, or floats.
1850. Prescott, Peru, II. 3. To transport the commander’s baggage and the military stores on some of the Indian balsas.
