DCHP-2

varveau -x or -s varvo(e), varvou, verveau, vervo, etc. [< Cdn F < F varveau, verveau fish trap] Pacific Coast DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

• 1 n. — Obs.

  See quote.

  • 1828  (1872)  Indians here and there along the river, with verveux (sweep nets) at each lodge.

• 2 n. — Hist.

  a woven basket, about 6 feet long, used by certain Indian bands in fishing with a barrier, q.v., the basket being attached over an opening in the weir.

  See also: barrier  

  • 1832  (1941-1944)  I think that in twelve days I will send a party after you so that you may go to the Verveau and the men I send will go to you wherever you are....
  • 1833  (1932)  Gaps are left in the works [barrier] of sufficient size to admit the varveaux, or baskets, in which the fish are taken.
  • 1860  Tahow arrived from Sevwright River and states that the Varvoux there and Barrier is complete.
  • 1905  (1954)  A particular tribe ... captured this [white-] fish by means of a pouch-basket ("vervoe") placed in the running stream....
  • 1953  The salmon -- sockeye -- were caught in traps called weirs or "varvoes," "varvons," or "varves" in the journals.