See quotation. 1611, Cotgrave, N.E.D.
1851. The “barkers”—like whalemen leaping upon the back of their prize with their cutting spades—are at once at work with their axes, hewing the bark from that portion of the log which is to be drawn along on the snow, while the other end is to rest upon the sled.—John S. Springer, ‘Forest Life,’ p. 94 (N.Y.).
