vanyoudaoicibaDictYouDict[van 词源字典]
van: see caravan
[van etymology, van origin, 英语词源]
van (n.1)youdaoicibaDictYouDict
"front part of an army or other advancing group," c. 1600, shortening of vanguard.
van (n.2)youdaoicibaDictYouDict
"covered truck or wagon," 1829, shortening of caravan. Century Dictionary suggests this was perhaps regarded as *carry-van.