tumpline

[ tuhmp-lahyn ]

noun

1. a strap or sling passed around the chest or forehead to help support a pack carried on a person's back.

tumpline

/ ˈtʌmpˌlaɪn /

noun

1. (in the US and Canada, esp formerly) a leather or cloth band strung across the forehead or chest and attached to a pack or load in order to support it Also calledtump

Word History and Origins

Origin of tumpline¹

1790–1800; tump (earlier mattump, metomp < Southern New England Algonquian < proto-Eastern Algonquian *mat- empty root appearing in names of manufactured objects + *-a·pəy string) + line ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tumpline¹

C19: from tump , of Algonquian origin + line ¹; compare Abnaki mádǔmbi pack strap

Example Sentences

One night one of them ate a piece out of my tumpline, which was partially under my head, while I slept.

From Project Gutenberg

This is known as a tumpline, and consists of a band of leather to cross the head, and two long thongs to secure the pack.

From Project Gutenberg