Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In South Africa, an iron chain or rawhide cable connecting a wagon-pole with the line of yokes to which the bullocks are attached.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Then she ordered them to inspan the waggon, and this was done quickly, for the oxen lay tied to the trek-tow.

    Swallow: a tale of the great trek Henry Rider Haggard 1890

  • On she struggled, still on, till at length she blundered against something soft and warm, and perceived that it was an ox tied to a trek-tow, beyond which were other oxen and a white waggon-cap.

    Benita, an African romance Henry Rider Haggard 1890

  • The preparations went on; the black driver who was to manage the oxen busied himself along with the foreloper, whose duty it is to walk with the foremost oxen, in getting their great whips in trim, and in seeing the trek-tow and dissel-boom -- as the great trace and pole of the waggon are called -- were perfect; and they practised the team as well.

    Off to the Wilds Being the Adventures of Two Brothers George Manville Fenn 1870

  • The oxen were all secured to the dissel-boom and trek-tow; and the horses were haltered up to the wheels, everything being made safe and sound.

    Off to the Wilds Being the Adventures of Two Brothers George Manville Fenn 1870

  • I wanted to play the hare, though I knew that in this case the tortoise would win the race; for to have hurried meant some accident, some breaking of the heavy wains: a wheel off or broken, the giving way of trek-tow or dissel-boom.

    Charge! A Story of Briton and Boer George Manville Fenn 1870

  • Then the boys were made acquainted with the novelties, to them, of dissel-boom, trek-tow, and yokes.

    Dead Man's Land Being the Voyage to Zimbambangwe of certain and uncertain George Manville Fenn 1870

  • The oxen slowly tugged at their yokes, the great trek-tow tightened, the wheels of the fine new waggon creaked; and as Mr Rogers mounted the big bay, his sons took off and waved their caps, giving a loud cheer, for now they were really off to the wilds.

    Off to the Wilds Being the Adventures of Two Brothers George Manville Fenn 1870

  • The bullocks couched close to the trek-tow and the ponies stamped restlessly again and again from where they were haltered to one of the wheels inside the enclosure and close up to the granite wall.

    Dead Man's Land Being the Voyage to Zimbambangwe of certain and uncertain George Manville Fenn 1870

  • Then came the cracking of the whips and the lowing of a couple of uneasy bullocks; there was a strain on the long trek-tow, and the great lumbering waggons moved off into the early dawn, the ponies being led, for the heads of the expedition all agreed that it would be pleasanter to walk till after sunrise through the crisp, cool air and not let their blood stagnate by riding behind the slow, sluggish pacing of the oxen.

    Dead Man's Land Being the Voyage to Zimbambangwe of certain and uncertain George Manville Fenn 1870

  • "Trek!" cried the black, who had climbed on to the box; then there was a tremendous crack of the huge whip he wielded, the oxen jerked at the trek-tow, the wheels creaked, and as I involuntarily took my rifle from where it was slung and cocked it, the huge wagon began to lumber heavily through the soft earth, and I walked by its side uninterrupted, finding that in turn first one and then another of the six wagons started and followed, till the entire row were in motion, following the lead of

    Charge! A Story of Briton and Boer George Manville Fenn 1870

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