DCHP-1 Online
demi-charge [< Cdn F < F "half load"] Obs. 
1 n. that part of a canoe's load that was unloaded at a décharge (def. 1).
See also: décharge (def. 1) demi-decharge
- 1804 (1933) [T]hey set off after dinner for the Barrier, and return'd abot 8 oclock with the last demi charge.
- 1933 A demi-charge was a part of the loading of a canoe. It was carried around a décharge while the canoe itself, thus lightened, was towed past the rapids.
2 n. a shallow place where a boat or canoe had to be partly unloaded before it could proceed.
See also: décharge (def. 1)
- 1884 Above the Demicharge, the current was strong to Clear Lake and the boats had to be pulled and pulled as best they might.
- 1963 But what in the world was a demi-charge? Some sort of a rapid, but what?
- 1804 (1933) [T]hey set off after dinner for the Barrier, and return'd abot 8 oclock with the last demi charge.