in·span \(ˈ)inz|pan, ənzˈp-, -n|sp-\verb Etymology: Afrikaans, from Middle Dutch inspannen, from in in (adverb) + spannen to stretch, span, hitch up — more at span transitive verb chiefly Africa: to yoke or harness (draft animals) to a vehicle : hitch draft animals to (a vehicle) intransitive verb chiefly Africa: to inspan animals or a vehicle < inspanned as soon as we had eaten >