DCHP-1 Online
wanigan [< Algonk.; cf. Abnaki waniigan trap; container for odds and ends] 
1a n. Lumbering See 1935 quote.
- 1902 Outside the cook and cookee were stowing articles in the already loaded wanigan.
- 1935 Wanigan, a receptacle in which small supplies or a reserve stock of goods are kept.
- 1902 Outside the cook and cookee were stowing articles in the already loaded wanigan.
1b n. Lumbering See quote.
- 1912 (1913) wanigan . . . a large chest in which lumbermen of New Brunswick, Maine and Minnesota keep their spare clothing, pipes, tobacco, etc. Called also wongan-box, and spelled wangun and wangan.
- 1912 (1913) wanigan . . . a large chest in which lumbermen of New Brunswick, Maine and Minnesota keep their spare clothing, pipes, tobacco, etc. Called also wongan-box, and spelled wangun and wangan.
1c n. Lumbering a store operated by a logging company; commissary.
See also: van ((n.)) (def. 1)
- 1966 The company ran little stores in the office called wannigans where you could get anything that was required in the line of clothing for bushwork
- 1966 The company ran little stores in the office called wannigans where you could get anything that was required in the line of clothing for bushwork
2 n. Lumbering See quote.
- 1912 (1913) Wanigan . . . a place in a lumber camp where accounts are kept and men paid.
- 1912 (1913) Wanigan . . . a place in a lumber camp where accounts are kept and men paid.
3 n. Lumbering a scow or raft equipped to accommodate loggers while engaged in a drive (def. lb).
See also: drive ((v.)) (def. 1b) wangan (boat)
- 1912 (1913) Wanigan . . . a boat used on the rivers of New Brunswick and Maine for the transportation of the entire personnel of a logging camp, along with the tools of the camp and provisions for the trip.
- 1957 Three wanegans, a floating mess hall and cook shack, and six drive camps are maintained to keep the wood moving.
- 1912 (1913) Wanigan . . . a boat used on the rivers of New Brunswick and Maine for the transportation of the entire personnel of a logging camp, along with the tools of the camp and provisions for the trip.
4a n. North a type of dwelling on runners having some of the functions of a modern house-trailer.
See also: caboose (def. 4b)
- 1955 Log houses, built hastily by the early gold-rush pioneers, nestle beside the luxurious main hotel and the "wanigans"--the one-room houses on skids.
- 1966 While sleeping in a wanigan, a hut on sleds, I was awakened . . . by native children shouting. . . .
- 1955 Log houses, built hastily by the early gold-rush pioneers, nestle beside the luxurious main hotel and the "wanigans"--the one-room houses on skids.
4b n. North a bunkhouse and cook-house on bobs, or runners, serving the needs of the crew on a cat-train or other group of vehicles. Also spelled wanegan, wangan, wannegan, wannigan, etc.
See also: caboose (def. 5a)
- 1949 With the availability of Wannegans for living, the convoy was restricted only by weather and equipment breakdowns from travelling day and night.
- 1949 The Wannegan has a sled mounted house type body made of light gauge metal, and heavily insulated for use in sub zero temperatures.
- 1955 wanigan . . . a small housekeeping shed mounted on runners and hauled behind an oversnow vehicle.
- 1949 With the availability of Wannegans for living, the convoy was restricted only by weather and equipment breakdowns from travelling day and night.
5 n. a warm, short laced boot.
- 1966 Natural sheepskin wannigans for wear under overboots. Leather soles, heels. . . .
- 1966 Natural sheepskin wannigans for wear under overboots. Leather soles, heels. . . .