ˈtump-line local U.S.
[Origin obscure: cf. tump v.2]
See quots.
| 1860 Bartlett Dict. Amer., Tumpline, a strap placed across the forehead to assist a man in carrying a pack on his back. Used in Maine, where the custom was borrowed from the Indians. 1890 W. J. Gordon Foundry 114 Bundles..secured by the leather strap or ‘tump’ line, are slung across the chest or forehead. 1904 S. E. White Forest xiii, The carrying we did with the universal tump-line. It passes across the top of the head. The weight should rest on the small of the back just above the hips. |