A haversack, or havresack (through the French from German language Habersack and Dutch language haverzak, an oat-sack, a nose-bag for a horse, Hafer or Haver meaning oats), the bag in which horsemen carried the oats.

In Scotland and the north of England haver, meaning oats, is still used, as haver-meal or haver-bread. Haversack is now used for the strong bag made of linen or canvas, in which soldiers, sportsmen or travellers, carry their personal belongings, or more usually the provisions for the day.

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