What is "lastage"

Lastage \Last"age\n. [E. lestage ballasting, fr. lest ballast, or LL. lastagium, lestagium. See Last a load.]

1. A duty exacted, in some fairs or markets, for the right to carry things where one will. [Obs.]

2. A tax on wares sold by the last. [Obs.]
   --Cowell.

3. The lading of a ship; also, ballast.
   --Spelman.

4. Room for stowing goods, as in a ship.

n. 1 (context obsolete English) A duty exacted, in some fairs or markets, for the right to carry things where one will. 2 (context obsolete English) A tax on wares sold by the last. 3 (context obsolete English) The lading of a ship; ballast. 4 (context obsolete English) Room for stowing goods, as in a ship.

Lastage is a neighbourhood in the Centrum district of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. It is located between the Geldersekade and Oudeschans canals, just east of old medieval city. Today, the neighbourhood is also known as Nieuwmarktbuurt. The area is protected as a heritage site.