DCHP-2

voyageur [< Cdn F] Although the form voyageur is almost always preferred to the English voyager, it is often printed in italics, even when reference is being made to present-day travellers. The word is, however, considered fully a part of Canadian English by most persons who have occasion to use it. DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

• 1a n. — Fur Trade, Hist.

  one of the canoemen or boatmen, usually a French Canadian, Orkneyman, Indian, or Métis, who crewed the vessels of the inland fur trade.

  See also: Canadian voyager  Canadian voyageur  engagé  porkeater (def. 1c)  voyager (def. 1)  voyageur canoe  

• 1b n.

  any of those journeying into the wilderness of the Northwest, both engaged servants and company officers.

• 1c n.

  A man other than a permanent employee, taken on for single trip with a brigade.

  See also: tripman  

• 2 n. — Hist.

  a boatman on the St. Lawrence River and tributary waters.

• 3 n. — Hist.

  a soldier in the Voyageur Corps

  See also: Voyageur Corps  

• 4a n.

  a person who travels the northern wilderness as trapper, canoeman, dog-driver, etc.; an experienced woodsman.

• 4b n.

  any traveller of the rivers and trails of the wilderness, especially by canoe.

  See also: voyager (def. 2)