DCHP-1 Online
maitre [< Cdn Fmaître] Obs. 
1 n. a canoe gunwale.
- 1806 (1960) As it was late before everything was ready to begin the canoe, we only laid the bottom and fixed the maitres and entraves.
- 1814 (1897) Men preparing wood for canoes . . . making maitres, verrangues, etc.
2 a strong line or cord.
- 1806 (1960) The nets had maitres enough and no stones or floats were tied with maitres when I came away.
- 1807 (1930) Maitres will serve as well as codline for a cordeau.
- 1806 (1960) As it was late before everything was ready to begin the canoe, we only laid the bottom and fixed the maitres and entraves.