Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FREIGHT, n. [frate; D. vragt; G. fracht; Sw. fracht; Dan. fragt; Fr. fret; Port. frete; Sp. flete; Arm. fret. See Fraught. Qu. from the root of L. fero; formed like bright, from the Ethiopic barah.]

1. The cargo, or any part of the cargo of a ship; lading; that which is carried by water. The freight of a ship consists of cotton; the ship has not a full freight; the owners have advertised for freight; freight will be paid for by the tun.
2. Transportation of goods. We paid four dollars a tun for the freight from London to Barcelona.
3. The hire of a ship, or money charged or paid for the transportation of goods. After paying freight and charges, the profit is trifling.