Primage Definition: A bonus given to the captain of a vessel to supplement his/her wages and salaries. In his 1874 law dictionary, A. Brown wrote of primage: “A small payment made to the master of a vessel for his personal care and trouble, which he is to receive in addition to his wage and salary, to his own use, unless he has otherwise agreed with his employer.” REFERENCES: Brown, Archibald, A New Law Dictionary and Institute of the Whole Law for the Use of Students, the Legal Profession and the Public (London: Stevens & Sons, 1874), Page 287-288 Categories & Topics: Maritime & Waterways Law Dictionary Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!