[f. LEG v. + -ER1.] A man who propels a canal barge through a tunnel by thrusting his legs against the walls.
1836. Sir G. Head, Home Tour, 143. These men … are called ‘leggers’ for they literally work the boat with their legs, or kick it from one end of the tunnel to the other.
1841. Brees, Gloss. Terms Civ. Engin., Leggers, the name given to the men employed in conveying a barge through a canal tunnel, by means of pushing with their legs against the side walls.
