tunnage

TUN'NAGE, a. [from tun.] The amount of tuns that a ship will carry; the content or burthen of a ship. A ship pays duty according to her tunnage.

1. The duty charged on ships according to their burthen, or the number of tuns at which they are rated.

2. A duty laid on liquors according to their measure.

3. A duty paid to mariners by merchants for unloading their ships, after a rate by the tun.

4. The whole amount of shipping, estimated by the tuns.