DCHP-1 Online

pack ((v.))

• 1 v. Fur Trade prepare a bale of fur by means of a pack press.

  See also: pack press  

  • 1697  (1929)  Saturday ye 7th . . . pact ye rest of ye beaver. . . .
  • 1874  (1956)  . . . they have been dried and re-packed by Mr. Spencer, but as the fur mould and the pack press at his post are very bad . . . Mr. Spencer has had a great deal of trouble in repacking. . . .

• 2a † v. of men, carry (goods, supplies, etc.), especially on the back.

  See also: backpack ((v.))  pack in  packing  

  • 1862  The mules cannot get nearer than the Forks of Quesnelle, so the stores have to be packed by men from there to the mines.
  • 1898  (1952)  At the other side is the Nyaline Hill, which has only a very narrow pack trail, so that we must pack our stuff up on our backs for 3/4 of a mile. . . .
  • 1923  . . . the wife has to pack about three times as much as her husband or the dogs, and quite often has to pack a baby as well.
  • 1959  When they went into the mountains, Annie would pack his blankets, axe and shovel.

• 2b † v. of animals, carry goods or supplies; serve as a pack animal. Cp. pack dog.

  • 1922  Throughout Alaska and Northern British Columbia [dogs] are trained to pack, just as are mules.

• 3a v. load or burden with packs of goods or supplies.

  • 1860  Large trains of packed Indians were leaving for Boston Bar and the Forks.
  • 1913  Four Indian lads completed the party. This was barely sufficient to pack the horses and make camp.
  • 1959  It took two years to train Annie, packing her light at first and by gradually increasing the weight he got her accustomed to a heavy pack.

• 3b v. transport on pack animals.

  • 1889  . . . the miners "packed" on mule trains the whole outfit necessary for their operation and sustenance.

• 3c v. use for transporting goods or supplies.

  • 1951  Out at the corrals, Lester Dorsey . . . helped Pan finish the heavy job of shoeing and rockpacking the broncs we were going to pack.
  • 1957  One mare had never before been packed, and she caused an endless amount of trouble. . . .

• 4 v. serve as a guide and bearer (for).

  See also: packer (def. 2b)  

  • 1880  The son of the chief of the Achwilgate tribe . . . was anxious simply to hire as one of those who should "pack" for us.
  • 1958  . . . others either left the country or settled down to a life of prospecting and wild horse bickering, packing hunters through the mountains. . . .