wanigan

[ won-i-guh n ]

/ ˈwɒn ɪ gən /

a lumberjack's trunk.

a lumber camp's supply chest.

a small house on wheels or tractor treads, used as an office or shelter in temporary lumber camps.

(especially in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest) a lean-to or other small addition built onto a house trailer, cabin, etc.

Also wan·gan, wan·gun

[wang-guh n] /ˈwæŋ gən/, wan·ni·gan.

Origin of wanigan

1840–50; < Ojibwa wa·nikka·n pit, derivative of wa·nikke·- to dig a hole in the ground < Proto-Algonquian *wa·θehke·- ( *wa·θ- hole + *-ehke·- make)

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

The Riverman |Stewart Edward White
The tribulations of the wanigan were as the salt of life to the spectators.

The Blazed Trail |Stewart Edward White
As the wanigan neared the sluice through which it must shoot the flood-water, the excitement mounted to fever pitch.

The Riverman |Stewart Edward White
The ground had now hardened so that a wanigan boat was unnecessary.

The Riverman |Stewart Edward White

Charlie's wanigan, in case you do not happen to know what such a thing may be, was a scow about twenty feet long by ten wide.

The Riverman |Stewart Edward White

wanigan

/ (ˈwɒnɪgən) /

a lumberjack's chest or box

a cabin, caboose or houseboat

C19: from Algonquian