DCHP-1 Online
winter canoe Obs. 
a sturdy small boat long used in crossing the St. Lawrence in winter, its trained crew propelling it, often loaded with freight and passengers, through swift currents choked with ice-cakes and manhandling it over the sharp, uneven ice banks, or bourdigneaux.
See also: ice-canoe
- 1830 On Friday one of the winter canoes used in crossing the Saint Lawrence . . . was upset just at the moment it was launched into a small opening between the floating ice.
- 1830 On Friday one of the winter canoes used in crossing the Saint Lawrence . . . was upset just at the moment it was launched into a small opening between the floating ice.