Main Entry:

¹barge

Pronunciation:

\ˈbärj\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin barca

Date:

14th century

: any of various boats: as a: a roomy usually flat-bottomed boat used chiefly for the transport of goods on inland waterways and usually propelled by towing b: a large motorboat supplied to the flag officer of a flagship c: a roomy pleasure boat ; especially : a boat of state elegantly furnished and decorated