Etymology From Late Latin primagium. (The French word post-dates the English.)
1
Archaic A payment made for loading or unloading a ship, or for care of goods during transit by ship.
By the bill of lading the maſter undertakes to deliver the goods on payment of freight with primage and average accuſtomed.1818, John Adolphus, The Political State of the British Empire, volume 3, page 197:
2
UK, Archaic An import duty levied by a guild of harbour pilots (especially at Kingston-upon-Hull and Newcastle-upon-Tyne).
1932, E. T. McPhee (Commonwealth Statistician), Official Year Book of the Commonwealth of Australia: No. 25 - 1932, The rate of primage duty was subsequently increased to 4 per cent. as from the 6th November, 1930.
primage
noun
Etymology From prime + -age.
1
Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciencesRare Droplets of water suspended in steam (especially in the cylinder of a steam engine).
Of these temperatures, only one, the second, indicates primage; all others exhibit a slight superheat.1883, Emory Edwards, Modern American Locomotive Engines: Their Design, Construction and Management, page 75: