Mil. [a. F. cantine, ad. It. cantina cellar, cave, of doubtful deriv.: see Diez and Littré. The history and order of the senses is obscure. The quotations of date 1744 virtually carry senses 1 and 4 back to 1710–1, the date of the occurrences referred to. See also note under 4.]
1. A kind of sutler’s shop in a camp, barracks, or garrison town, where provisions and liquors are sold to soldiers and non-commissioned officers. Now under regimental control. Also, in Indian and colonial use, applied to a victualling or refreshment house resembling this.
1744. M. Bishop, Life & Adv., 138. I took him to the Canteen, and gave him what he would drink.
1803. Rees, Cycl., Canteen is the cabaret, tavern, or place in a garrison-town where the garrison have the privilege of purchasing spirits … and beer.
1832. Life W. J. Neptune, 105. In the kitchen of the Canteen at the Citadel.
1844. Regul. & Ord. Army, 243. No civilians … are to be permitted to frequent, or in any way to make use of the Canteen, without the … sanction of the Commanding Officer.
1886. The Canteen at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition.
ǁ 2. ‘A small case divided into compartments for carrying flasks or bottles of wine and other liquors’ (Littré); a French use, which however may have given rise to the next two English ones.
1737. Ozell, Rabelais, II. 235. Two Cantines (Bottle-Cases). The best Cantines are sold at Charing-Cross.
3. A box or chest with an outfit of cooking and table utensils, and other articles serviceable in a camp, or on an expedition, used by officers, etc.
1817. Keatinge, Trav., II. 6. Next follow the mules, with the tents and canteens.
1839. Ann F. Tytler, Leila, 13. Mr. Howard’s canteen contained a small tea service [etc.].
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 627. The sumpter horses were unloaded: the canteens were opened.
4. A small tin or wooden vessel, of a capacity of from 3 to 4 pints, for water or liquor, carried by soldiers on the march, travellers, workmen, etc.
(This sense appears to be in vulgar Fr., since Littré says ‘Il ne faut pas employer cantine pour cruche, ni dire: remplissez cette cantine.’)
1744. M. Bishop, Life & Adv., 8. The soldiers … ran into the Water … and after they had filled their Bellies, filled their Canteens.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), Espoulette, a tin canteen, or case, to carry fine powder.
1800. Weems, Washington, x. (1877), 129. Her soldiers often without a crust in their knapsacks or a dram in their canteens.
1811. Monthly Mag., 1 Dec., 464. Canteen, or cantine … a tin flat bottle, in which soldiers carry liquor on their shoulders.
1851. Coal-tr. Terms Northumbld. & Durh., 12. Canteen, a small wooden flat barrel, containing about half a gallon, in which a pitman carries water or coffee with him to his work.
1868. Regul. & Ord. Army, § 1128. The Men will … shift their pouches, havresacks and water canteens, round to the front of their bodies.
5. attrib. and Comb., as (sense 1) canteen-keeper, -sergeant, -steward; (sense 3) canteen-camel, -horse; (sense 4) canteen-maker.
1796. Cavalry Instr. (1803), 216. On a march, servants, led horses, and canteen horses remain with their squadrons.
1882–3. Schaff, Relig. Encycl., I. 374. The canteen camel of Eastern tourists.
1886. Pall Mall Gaz., 12 Sept., 2/2. The regimental and canteen supplies are left in the hands of canteen stewards and quartermasters.
1887. Rider Haggard, Jess, 19. The canteen keeper sent for his boys to turn him out.
