DCHP-2

white-water man DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

• 1

  an expert at handling a canoe in rapids and riffles (def. 1 b).

  See also: riffle ((n.)) (def. 1 b)  

  • 1921  . . . Oo-koo-hoo, the famous white-water-man . . . actually did keep the bow of that canoe ahead of all others--no matter where or when the other crews contested for the honour of leading the Fur Brigade.
  • 1931  They are the "white water men," to whom the thunderous roar of rapids, and the smell of spray flying in the face, are as the intoxication of strong drink.
  • 1956  Had he lost the sure judgment a white-water man must have?
  • 1958  "Watch her haul" is the ringing yell of white water men as they pry loose the piles of winter piled wood... .

• 2 †  — Lumbering

  a man who takes part in the process of floating or driving logs.

  See also: driver (def. 1)  

  • 1958  "Watch her haul" is the ringing yell of white-water men as they pry loose the piles of winter piled wood. . . .