caboose

Meanings

1. A small galley or cookhouse on the deck of a small vessel.
2. A small sand-filled container used as an oven on board ship.
3. The last car on a freight train, consisting of cooking and sleeping facilities for the crew; a guard’s van.
4. The buttocks.
5. The person or team in last place.
6. A youngest child who is born after a long gap in time.

Etymology

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”).