Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CAR'GO, n. [W. carg, a load, cargu, to load, from car, a vehicle; Port. carga; Sp. carga, a load, burden, charge; Sp. cargo, a load; cargazon, id.; cargar, to load, to charge; It. carico, a load, or charge; caricare, to load, to charge; Fr. cargaison, a cargo; charge, a charge or load; charger, to load, burden, charge; Arm. carg. See Charge.]

The lading or freight of a ship; the goods, merchandise, or whatever is conveyed in a ship, or other merchant vessel. The lading within the hold is called the inboard cargo, in distinction from horses, cattle, and other things carried on deck. The person employed by a merchant to proceed with, oversee, and dispose of the lading, is called a super-cargo.