What is the origin of the Word barge?

Answer 1

The word "barge" originates from the Latin term "barca," which means a small boat or skiff. It was adopted into Old French as "barge," referring to a flat-bottomed vessel used for transporting goods, particularly on rivers. This term eventually made its way into Middle English, where it retained its nautical meaning. Over time, "barge" has come to refer specifically to larger, flat-bottomed boats used for carrying cargo or passengers.