Noah Webster
Tonnage
TON'NAGE, noun [from ton, a corrupt orthography. See Tun.]
1. The weight of goods carried in a boat or ship.
2. The cubical content or burthen of a ship in tuns; or the amount of weight which she may carry.
3. A duty or impost on ships, estimated per tun; or a duty, toll or rate payable on goods per tun, transported on canals.