wanigan

American  

[won-i-guhn] / ˈwɒn ɪ gən /

Also wangan,

noun

1. a lumberjack's trunk.

2. a lumber camp's supply chest.

3. a small house on wheels or tractor treads, used as an office or shelter in temporary lumber camps.

4. (especially in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest) a lean-to or other small addition built onto a house trailer, cabin, etc.

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wanigan British  

/ ˈwɒnɪgən /

noun

1. a lumberjack's chest or box

2. a cabin, caboose or houseboat

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Etymology

Origin of wanigan

First recorded in 1840–50; from Ojibwe wa·nikka·n “pit,” derivative of wa·nikke·- “to dig a hole in the ground” from unattested Proto-Algonquian wa·θehke·- (unattested wa·θ- “hole” + -ehke·- “make”)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wanigan

In a couple of hours' run the wanigan had overtaken and left far behind the rear of the drive.

From The Riverman by White, Stewart Edward

The cook had, early that morning, moored the wanigan to the bank.

From The Blazed Trail by White, Stewart Edward

The wanigan for the rear crew was built.

From The Riverman by White, Stewart Edward

Charlie's wanigan, in case you do not happen to know what such a thing may be, was a scow about twenty feet long by ten wide.

From The Riverman by White, Stewart Edward

Shortly after daylight the wanigan, pushed strongly from shore by the pike-poles, was drifting toward the chute.

From The Riverman by White, Stewart Edward