inspan

[ in-span ]

/ ɪnˈspæn /

to yoke or harness.

Origin of inspan

From Afrikaans, dating back to 1825–35; see origin at in-¹, span²

With drag ropes it was moved down the hill for some distance, and then an attempt was made to inspan the oxen.

A Yeoman's Letters |P. T. Ross
Then in the most matter-of-fact way, John Dawes gave orders to inspan.

The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley |Bertram Mitford
Then I had him untied, and let him go, and bade him inspan and trek at once before worse happened.

Tales of South Africa |H.A. Bryden
He did this only to inspan again, and proceed by moonlight to the town.

South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. V (of VI) |Louis Creswicke

I called Hans and bade him inspan as quickly as possible, explaining to him that yonder was Marais's camp.

Marie |H. Rider Haggard

inspan

/ (ɪnˈspæn) /

to harness (animals) to (a vehicle); yoke

to press (people) into service

C19: from Afrikaans, from Middle Dutch inspannen, from spannen to stretch, yoke; see span 1