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

Billy Camp did not mind rain or cold—he would cheerfully cook away with the water dripping from his battered derby to his chubby and cold-purpled nose—but he did mind the wanigan.

From The Blazed Trail by White, Stewart Edward

The poor old wanigan was almost buried by the river.

From The Riverman by White, Stewart Edward

The ground had now hardened so that a wanigan boat was unnecessary.

From The Riverman by White, Stewart Edward

Outside, the cook and cookee were stowing articles in the already loaded wanigan.

From The Blazed Trail by White, Stewart Edward

In the meantime the rear was "sacking" its way as fast as possible, moving camp with the wanigan whenever necessary, working very hard and very cold and very long.

From The Riverman by White, Stewart Edward