Toboggan
/təˈbɒɡ.ən/noun
A long, narrow, usually wooden sled used for sliding down snow-covered hills.
Did you know?The term 'toboggan' originates from the Algonquin word 'tobaggan', which referred to a sled used by Indigenous peoples for transport in snowy landscapes, linking it to ancient traditions of winter survival.
Etymological Timeline
Algonquin
Algonquin
tobaggan
“A sled used for sliding on snow.”
17th Century
French
toboggan
“Borrowed from Indigenous languages, referring to a type of sled.”
18th Century
English
toboggan
“Adapted from French, used in English to describe a wooden sled.”
Modern English
English
toboggan
“A general term for various types of sleds, particularly those used in winter sports.”