DCHP-1 Online
pateroon patron [< Cdn Fpatron(ne) < F "captain of a coastal vessel"] Fur Trade, Obs. 
1 n. a commander; boss.
- 1748 As there could be but few Snow-Shoes got . . . these they could procure were assigned to those of every Tent that hunted . . . there being seven persons in a Tent (including the Pateroon, or he who commands, and also a Boy) two of the People were Kept to Hunting, which term they give to going a Shooting of Partridge. . . .
2 n. in the canoes and boats of the fur brigades, the foreman of a crew, usually the most skilled boatman and the highest paid.
See also: steersman
- 1774 (1934) . . . the Pataroon or Steersman of each Cannoe has 50£ Prannom. . . .
- 1784 (1954) So terribly have we been afflicted with sickness I was forced to send up to Henley for hands from the building to navigate my second Boat thither and then was obliged to Hire 11 Indians & send Geo. Sutherland as Pateroon.
- 1809-11 (1904) . . . our patron, or steersman . . . conducted the first boat, and directed our motions.
- 1748 As there could be but few Snow-Shoes got . . . these they could procure were assigned to those of every Tent that hunted . . . there being seven persons in a Tent (including the Pateroon, or he who commands, and also a Boy) two of the People were Kept to Hunting, which term they give to going a Shooting of Partridge. . . .