outspan

American  

[out-span, out-span] / ˌaʊtˈspæn, ˈaʊtˌspæn /

verb (used with object)

outspanned, outspanning

1. to unyoke or unhitch, as oxen from a wagon.

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verb (used without object)

outspanned, outspanning

1. to remove the yoke, harness, etc., from animals.

noun

1. the act or a place of outspanning.

outspan British  

noun

1. an area on a farm kept available for travellers to rest and refresh animals

2. the act of unharnessing or unyoking

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verb

1. (tr) to unharness or unyoke (animals)

2. (intr) to relax

Etymology

Origin of outspan

1815–25; translation of Afrikaans uitspan; out-, span ²

Example Sentences

A delay occurred at a ford, and it was half-past three in the morning before we arrived at the outspan, which the foremost waggons had reached at twelve o'clock.

From Through Shot and Flame The Adventures and Experiences of J. D. Kestell Chaplain to President Steyn and General Christian De Wet by Kestell, J. D. (John Daniel)

Many are the stories told at the outspan fires of the South African transport riders—some weird, some romantic, some of native wars, some of fierce encounters with the wild beasts of the land.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.

It was a long job skinning, cutting up, and packing the wildebeeste, and when we reached the outspan the waggons had already started and we had a long tramp before us to catch them.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

I’ll lay me quarter’s pinsion that they’ll have larned betther manners before we outspan this evening.”

From The War of the Axe Adventures in South Africa by Percy-Groves, J.

At the outspan they stood about exhausted and panting, with rings and lines of brown marking where the moisture from nostrils, eyes and mouths had caught the dust and turned it into mud.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir