by-boat n
   1
   1675 CO 1/65 (27), 103 'By reason of Inhabitants and by Boats which carry away all our choise men Wee have not One third of the number of Ships on this Employment as formerly.'
   2 Comb by(e)-boat keeper.
   1680 CO 1/46 (8ii), 22 'An accot. of the By boat keepers in St John's Harbour each of them keeping stages, the Number of Men and Boats they Keepe & Employ what quantity of Fish they Catch what Train they make & how many Fats they have to do it.' 1986 RYAN 32 These men, called bye boat keepers, left their boats in Newfoundland during the winter and found transportation for themselves and their crews to and from Newfoundland on the fishing ships.

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