knapsack

[ nap-sak ]

/ ˈnæpˌsæk /

a canvas, nylon, or leather bag for clothes, food, and other supplies, carried on the back by soldiers, hikers, etc.

Origin of knapsack

1595–1605; < Low German knappsack, equivalent to knapp a bite (of food) + sack sack¹; compare dialectal English knap to snap up, eat greedily

knap·sacked, adjective

knag, knaggy, knaidel, knap, knapping hammer, knapsack, knapsack problem, knapweed, knar, knarly, knave

When he arrived, carrying nothing but a knapsack, he retrieved his Lampoon credit card from his wallet and broke it in two.

Doug Kenney: The Odd Comic Genius Behind ‘Animal House’ and National Lampoon |Robert Sam Anson |March 1, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Then the lucky idea occurred to me I had two candles in my knapsack and a box of matches, and I might as well light up.

Parkhurst Boys |Talbot Baines Reed
Searching through his knapsack, he drew out what is known to first aid as a wire gauze bandage.

The Ranger Boys and the Border Smugglers |Claude A. Labelle
After due demur George gave his promise, and I took him to the place where I had hidden my knapsack.

Erewhon Revisited |Samuel Butler

Each of the Russians closed a switch on the knapsack which he wore.

Poisoned Air |Sterner St. Paul Meek
I made inquiries in regard to my own knapsack but could find no trace of it.

Ten years in the ranks, U.S. army |Augustus Meyers

knapsack

/ (ˈnæpˌsæk) /

a canvas or leather bag carried strapped on the back or shoulder

C17: from Low German knappsack, probably from knappen to bite, snap + sack bag; related to Dutch knapzak; see sack 1