DCHP-2

trench ((n.)) [prob. < Cdn F < F tranche cold chisel] Fur Trade, Obs. DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

• n. — Fur Trade, Obs.

  an ice-cutting tool. Also spelled tranch. [See picture at ice-chisel.]

  See also: ice-chisel (and picture)  trenching  trenching-tool  

  • 1794  (1929)  . . . they begin to trade [and] they obtain the large Keg at 30 Beavers . . . 1 p Trenches 3 [Beavers].
  • 1812  (1890)  They make use of . . . iron trenches for fishing or working beaver.
  • 1825  (1950)  . . . some of the Trappers started with Trenches and the remainder to visit their Traps and returned in the evening without success their Traps fast in the Ice and did nothing with their Trenches in fact they know not the use of them nor do they appear to wish to learn. . . .
  • 1835, 1932  . . . the moment they [dogs] discover a retreat, [they] begin to bark and jump on the ice; the hunter then cuts a hole with his trench... .
  • 1844  (1937)  . . . it was customary formerly to loan Guns, Axes, Tranches, Moose Skins and Traps to the Indians. . . .