hespan

Dutch

Alternative forms

• espan

Etymology

Borrowed from Munsee é·span. Cognate to Swedish espan and Jersey Dutch häspân.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɦɛspɑn/

Noun

hespan m (plural hespannen or hespanen)

1. (obsolete, Dutch North America) raccoon
   • 1656, Adriaen vander Donck, Beschryvinge van Nieuvv-Nederlant, (Gelijck het tegenwoordigh in Staet is) Begrijpende de Nature, Aert, gelegentheyt en vruchtbaerheyt van het selve Landt, 38.

     Eſpannen diemen in Nederlandt Schobben noemt / is een ſeer warm Bont / ende uyttermaten gheſont vor yemandt die hem beſeert / ofte verlempt heeft.

     Raccoons who are called schobs in the Netherlands / is an animal with a very warm fur / and extremely healthy for someone who has harmed / or lamed it.

   • 1861, Hen. C. Murphy, Jacob Steendam, noch vaster. A Memoir of the First Poet in New Netherland with his Poem Descriptive of the Colony, publ. by the brothers Giunta D'Albani, tr. of Jacob Steendam, ’t Lof van Nuw-Nederland, orig. publ. in 1661, 40-43.

     Den Espan, en de Vos, de Mink, en Haas, / De Mater, en Eenkhooren: die de baas / In 't vluchten speeld: en nochtans is het aas / van grage monden:

     Raccoon and fox, with marten, mink and hare; / The nimble squirrels, leaping through the air / And flying; which, to craving stomachs, are / Baits most decoying. (Murphy's translation)

   • 2011, Kees-Jan Waterman, "A Section From The ‘Account Book, 1711-1729’ [in Dutch]", in Kees-Jan Waterman & J. Michael Smith (eds.), Munsee Indian Trade in Ulster County, New York, 1712-1732, Philip John Schuyler Papers, Vol. 11, Syracuse University Press.

     an rom en bier voor 2 hespanen (1719/1720)

     rum and beer for 2 raccoons

     pr 2 bern hoyden en 1 hespan (1722 May 25)

     per 2 bear hides and 1 raccoon

     pr 10 hespannen (1726)

     per 10 raccoons

Synonyms

• rakoen (obsolete)
• wasbeer