Definition of TOBOGGAN

toboggan

Meanings

Plural: toboggans

Noun

  • a long narrow sled without runners; boards curve upward in front
  • A long sled without runners, with the front end curled upwards, which may be pulled across snow by a cord or used to coast down hills.
  • A similar sled of wood, pulled by dogs, possibly with steel runners, made to transport cargo.
  • Something which, once it starts going (figuratively) downhill, is unstoppable until it reaches the bottom.
  • A knit cap, designed to provide warmth in cold weather.

Verb

  • move along on a luge or toboggan
  • To slide down a hill on a toboggan or other object.
  • To go downhill unstoppably until one reaches the bottom.
  • To fly sharply downward so as to build up speed to facilitate in-flight refueling of a faster aircraft.

Origin / Etymology

The noun is attested since 1829, the verb since 1846. Both derive from French tabaganne, which derives from an Algonquian word, probably Mi'kmaq tepaqan or Abenaki dabĂ´gan, influenced by similar words in other Eastern Canadian Algonquian languages. The sense of "hat" is recorded since 1929 and is short for toboggan cap (1928), a cap suitable for wearing while tobogganing.

Synonyms

beanie, cariole, carriole, luge, sled, sledge, tuque, watch cap

Scrabble Score: 12

toboggan is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
toboggan is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
toboggan is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

toboggan is a valid Words With Friends word