gunnysack

[ guhn-ee-sak ]

/ ˈgʌn iˌsæk /

noun

a sack made of gunny or burlap.

Nearby words

gunnera, gunnery, gunnery sergeant, gunning, gunny, gunnysack, gunpaper, gunplay, gunpoint, gunport, gunpowder

Origin of gunnysack

First recorded in 1860–65; gunny + sack¹

Also called gun·ny-bag

[guhn-ee-bag] /ˈgʌn iˌbæg/.

Regional variation note

Crocus sack, croker sack, grass sack, and towsack are widely used in the Southern U.S. as synonyms for gunnysack; crocus sack is used especially in the South Atlantic States and croker sack in the Gulf States, while grass sack and towsack are used especially in the South Midland U.S. Barley sack is a Southwestern U.S. term, used especially in California.

Examples from the Web for gunnysack

In the gunnysack bag on his back, humped up on top of the rag humps in the bag, was an old vest.
Rootabaga Stories|Carl Sandburg
A gunnysack, half full of galley coal, was fastened to his feet.
The Human Drift|Jack London
They came in last night after dark, after being gone in the interior for three weeks, carrying a gunnysack.
Terry|Charles Goff Thomson
When ready for disarming, spread a burlap or gunnysack across your lap and order the assistant to bring the skunk.
Practical Skunk Raising|William Edwin Pratt

Hate to trouble you, Chet, but I'll have to ask you to transfer that gunnysack back to Teddy.
The Sheriff's Son|William MacLeod Raine