DCHP-1 Online
fermier Cdn French, Hist. 
n. in New France, a fur trader holding a lease on a certain trading post and having the sole right to trade in the defined vicinity.
See also: farmer
- 1676 (1924) [. . . the beaver shall be taken for all its weight by the "fermier" and not taken only for a pound and a half although it sometimes weighs up to two pounds.]
- 1956 In the same year (1742) the general policy of leasing posts was changed and all the posts were farmed out to traders reserving a certain allowance for the officers, but apparently the fermiers or traders were given little encouragement by the officers in full control.
- 1676 (1924) [. . . the beaver shall be taken for all its weight by the "fermier" and not taken only for a pound and a half although it sometimes weighs up to two pounds.]