A flat-bottomed barge is a type of boat that is designed to carry cargo on inland waterways. It has a shallow draft and a flat bottom, allowing it to navigate shallow waters. The term 'SCOW' is often used to refer to a flat-bottomed barge, as it is a four-letter word. A LIGHTER is another type of flat-bottomed barge, but it is typically smaller than a SCOW and is used for transporting goods between ships and shore.