local U.S. [Origin obscure: cf. TUMP v.2] See quots.
1860. Bartlett, Dict. Amer., Tumpline, a strap placed across the forehead to assist a man in carrying a pack on his back. Used in Maine, where the custom was borrowed from the Indians.
1890. W. J. Gordon, Foundry, 114. Bundles … secured by the leather strap or ‘tump’ line, are slung across the chest or forehead.
1904. S. E. White, Forest, xiii. The carrying we did with the universal tump-line. It passes across the top of the head. The weight should rest on the small of the back just above the hips.
