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Added 10 October 2026

caboose

/kəˈbuːs/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about caboose at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A small galley or cookhouse on the deck of a small vessel.
A small sand-filled container used as an oven on board ship.
The last car on a freight train, consisting of cooking and sleeping facilities for the crew; a guard’s van.

Origin

From Dutch kabuis, kombuis (“galley, kitchen”) or German Low German Kabüüs (“galley”), from Middle Dutch cabûse and Middle Low German kabûs, kabûse respectively. Cognate with German Kabüse, Kombüse, Danish kabys, Swedish kabyss, French combuse (< Middle Dutch kabuys). Probably related to English boose (“a stall or shed”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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