outspan

American  

[out-span, out-span] / ˌaʊtˈspæn, ˈaʊtˌspæn /

verb (used with object)

outspanned, outspanning

1. to unyoke or unhitch, as oxen from a wagon.

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verb (used without object)

outspanned, outspanning

1. to remove the yoke, harness, etc., from animals.

noun

1. the act or a place of outspanning.

outspan British  

noun

1. an area on a farm kept available for travellers to rest and refresh animals

2. the act of unharnessing or unyoking

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verb

1. (tr) to unharness or unyoke (animals)

2. (intr) to relax

Etymology

Origin of outspan

1815–25; translation of Afrikaans uitspan; see out-, span ²

Example Sentences

Between the kraal and the river, amid a thin grove of spreading giraffe-acacia trees, set upon a little islet of rising ground, lies the outspan where travellers bound to and from Ngami usually halt.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.

Klaas had told me previously of a most wonderful pool of water that lay on the crown of a mountain where we should outspan finally before entering upon the portals of the diamond valley.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.

It was just like him to remember these things, for in our routine there was as a rule no eating during the night outspan.

From The Outspan Tales of South Africa by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

The right of outspan, usual bone of contention in Dutch neighbourhoods.

From The Fire Trumpet A Romance of the Cape Frontier by Mitford, Bertram

After some little trouble about the camp, where the trail was much mingled with others, he presently got the spoor away into the bush, to the west of the outspan.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.