Also 8 kaiak, kiack, 8–9 kajak, 9 kayac(k, kya(c)k, kaiack, kajac, cayak. [Eskimo; the term is common to all the dialects, from Greenland to Alaska. The k’s have a deep guttural sound, sometimes represented by k, rk, or rkr.] The canoe of the Greenlanders and other Eskimo, made of a framework of light wood covered with sealskins sewn together; the top has an opening in the middle to admit the single kayaker, who laces the covering round him to prevent the entrance of water.
[1662. J. Davies, trans. Olearius’ Voy. Ambass., 71. The Greenlanders speak … Kajakka, a little Boat.]
1757. J. Scott, Ode Winter, 32. Their hands … The kajak and the dart prepare.
1768. Wales, in Phil. Trans., LX. 108. Three Eskimaux in their canoes, or, as they term them, Kiacks.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), L b. The canoe is called kaiak, or man’s boat, to distinguish it from umiak, the woman’s boat.
1819. Sir J. Ross, Voy. Arct. Reg., iv. 54. Our Eskimaux returned with seven natives in their canoes, or kajacks.
1841–71. T. R. Jones, Anim. Kingd. (ed. 4), 597. The double-bladed oar with which the Greenlander so dexterously steers his kajac, or canoe.
1878. Nares, Polar Sea, I. ii. 20. A few of the officers became rather expert in the use of the kayak.
Comb. 1888. Times, 16 Nov., 10/2. They hired two kajak-men to bring letters to Ivigtut.
Hence Kayaker, one who manages a kayak; Kayaking, the managing of a kayak.
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., I. xxx. 416. Almost in an instant the animal charged upon the kayackers.
1887. A. W. Greely, in Century Mag., Aug., 556/1. He had learned while yet a mere child the rudiments of kayaking.
