When African American slaves were emancipated in 1865 the women took jobs as domestics in White homes well into the 20th century. They would cook enough food so as to have enough to take home to their own families. This is referred to as Totin' Toting According to Merriam Webster Online its etymology is as follows "probably from an English-based creole; akin to Gullah & Krio tot to carry, of Bantu origin; akin to Kikongo -tota to pick up, Kimbundu -tuta to carry
Date: 1677"
