The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tote \Tote\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Toted; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Toting.] [Said to be of African origin.]
   To carry or bear; as, to tote a child over a stream; to tote
   a gun on one's hip; -- a colloquial word originating in the
   Southern States, and used there esp. by negroes, now common
   throughout the U. S.
   [1913 Webster +PJC]