DCHP-1 Online
guide ((n.)) [< Cdn F < F] Fur Trade, Hist. 
1 n. the pilot or guide in charge of a brigade of canoes or other vessels, or of one vessel only.
See also: conductor (def. 1)
- 1761 (1901) To each canoe there are eight men; and to every three or four canoes, which constitute a brigade, there is a guide or a conductor. . . .
- 1821 (1900) Our party consists in Mr. William McGillivray, Mr. Simon McGillivray and myself, (?) Mornis an old Canadian Voyageur as McG's servant, an English Boy servant to his Brother and my man Raven, one Guide[,] Langue, 12 Canadian Voyageurs. . . .
- 1923 The principal man of the brigade was the "guide" in charge of the whole works.
- 1956 The fault lay with the "guide," the oldest man of the four who, by tacit agreement and prevailing custom, was appointed leader of the sorry expedition.
2 n. the head driver of a train of dog-sleds.
- 1921 "M-a-r-r-che!" (start) shouted the guide--as the head dog-driver is called.
3 n. an experienced woodsman who conducts sportsmen on hunting, fishing, or other expeditions, piloting the party and looking after the gear and the camp.
- 1903 Undoubtedly among the half-breed and white guides of Lower Canada . . . are many skilful men.
- 1920 To the casual eye there was little to choose between "sports" and guide, for, after a fortnight in the woods, chins and cheeks were unkempt with whiskers, shoepacks were muddy, clothes were torn and untidy.
- 1966 Some of the jobs most suitable for Indians are: . . . fire rangers, timber cruisers, scalers . . . lumbermen, game wardens . . . park wardens and guides. . . .
- 1761 (1901) To each canoe there are eight men; and to every three or four canoes, which constitute a brigade, there is a guide or a conductor. . . .