[With barge- in this, the prec., and next, cf. med.L. bargus, a kind of gallows = cl. L. furca: Du Cange. The modern conjecture that it is a corruption of verge seems to be without any historical ground.] (See quotations.)
1562. Leigh, Armory, 115. A Cheuron is made of Carpenters and is the highest part of ye house … Carpenters call it at this day, the barge couples.
1611. Guillim, Heraldry, II. vi. (1660), 68. A paire of Barge couples or Rafters, such as Carpenters doe set on the highest part of the house, for bearing of the roof there of.
1842. Gwilt, Archit., Barge couples, two beams mortised and tenoned together for the purpose of increasing the strength of a building.
