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

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

From The Blazed Trail by White, Stewart Edward

Sind us some oakum and pitch and we'll caulk yure wanigan for ye.

From The Riverman by White, Stewart Edward

This, after some difficulty, was made fast to the bow of the wanigan.

From The Riverman by White, Stewart Edward

Newmark soon discovered that the progress of the wanigan was looked upon in the light of a side-show by the rivermen.

From The Riverman by White, Stewart Edward

When the wanigan was to be moved, he rose fairly to the heights of what might be called destructive prophecy.

From The Riverman by White, Stewart Edward