gig¹ / gig/ • n. 1. chiefly hist. a light two-wheeled carriage pulled by one horse.2. a light, fast, narrow boat adapted for rowing or sailing.• v. [intr.] travel in a gig.gig² inf. • n. a live performance by or engagement for a musician or group playing popular or jazz music. ∎  a job, esp. one that is temporary or that has an uncertain future: he secured his first gig as an NFL coach.• v. (gigged, gig·ging) [intr.] perform a gig or gigs. ∎  [tr.] use (a piece of musical equipment) at a gig.gig³ • n. a harpoonlike device used for catching fish or frogs.• v. (gigged, gig·ging) [intr.] catch fish or frogs using such a device.gig⁴ • n. inf. Comput. short for gigabyte.

gig
A. †flighty girl XIII; †whipping-top XV; †rancy, whim XVI; (dial.) fun, glee; (dial.) odd person, fool XVIII;

B. (in full, gig-mill) machine for raising a nap on cloth XVI; light two-wheeled one-horse carriage; light ship's boat XVIII. All these uses may be referred to the gen. notion of light or quick movement, which is also that of the later JIG; but the history of both words is obscure.