DCHP-1 Online
tumpline † [< tump, q.v. + line] 
n. a kind of harness for carrying heavy loads, drawing on a tracking line, etc., consisting of a leather strap that is broad at the middle and tapers at both ends, the broad band being placed around the forehead (or chest) and the two ends attached to the pack or other load. [See picture at tumpline.]
See also: carrying-strap collier headstrap Hudson's Bay harness pack line packstrap portage strap tump ((n.)) forehead strap
- 1809 (1890) [Carrying the canoes, goods and provisions . . . is done by means of leather straps or thongs the middle of which is broad and fitted to the forehead of the carrier.]
- 1854 . . . the "tump-line" will never again compress his swollen and weary temples. . . .
- 1922 The hardy voyageur of the paddle and tumpline, or "Hudson's Bay harness" as it is termed in York boat parlance.
- 1965 Since few of us had used a tumpline . . . before, the first move of three miles . . . was something to remember. . . .
- 1809 (1890) [Carrying the canoes, goods and provisions . . . is done by means of leather straps or thongs the middle of which is broad and fitted to the forehead of the carrier.]