can·teen / kanˈtēn/ • n. 1. a restaurant provided by an organization such as a military camp, college, factory, or company for its students or staff.2. a small water bottle, as used by soldiers or campers.

Canteen

a chest or case for carrying culinary utensils, hence, a collection of the utensils themselves; a small tin or wooden vessel with the capacity of three to four pints carried by soldiers on the march; by workmen, or by travellers.

Examples: canteen of coffee, 1851; cutlery; with a tea service, 1839; of water, 1744; of wine flasks, 1737.

canteen sutler's shop in a camp, etc.; outfit of cooking and table vessels and utensils. XVIII. — F. cantine — It. cantina cellar, perh. f. canto corner.