Outspanning

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. The act of stopping or pausing a journey, especially while traveling with animals or vehicles; a place where animals, particularly horses, are allowed to rest or graze during travel; a site designated for regrouping on a journey, often providing shelter and food for travelers and their animals
2. The process of halting a trip to allow for rest, especially notable with pack animals or vehicles; a location intended for the resting or grazing of animals while on the move; an area where travelers can gather and replenish supplies during a journey
3. A moment during travel when one stops for rest, typically involving animals; a designated area used for animal rest or grazing while traveling; a stopping point for roadside travelers to recuperate and feed their animals

Etymology: "Outspanning" is the present participle and gerund of "outspan," a verb that describes unyoking draught animals and stopping for a rest. The verb is built from "out" and "span," where "span" in this sense refers to a team of animals harnessed together, specifically a yoke of oxen pulling a wagon. To outspan was therefore to unhitch that team from the vehicle, and from there the word came to mean stopping to rest, whether or not the animals were involved. The word belongs to the English of southern Africa, where it was carried by Dutch and Afrikaans speakers and their ox-wagons. Travellers on long overland journeys would outspan at midday or at night, so the word became closely tied to the rhythm of wagon travel.