also: だうま
packhorse; workhorse; hack
Refers to a horse used for carrying loads or heavy labor, often implying an ordinary, sturdy animal rather than a fine riding horse. Can also be used figuratively for a dependable but unglamorous worker.
In the old days, packhorses carried goods along mountain paths.
He works like a workhorse for the company.
Standard kanji form; 駄 means 'burden' or 'poor quality', 馬 is 'horse'.
Rare reading; だば is the standard reading.
Compound of 駄 (da, 'burden' or 'poor quality') and 馬 (ba/uma, 'horse'). The reading だば is the standard Sino-Japanese reading; だうま is a rare mixed reading.