van1
  
  n.
 a covered motor vehicle used for transporting goods or people. 
▸Brit. a railway carriage for conveying luggage, mail, etc.
 ▸Brit. a caravan.
Etymology
  C19: shortening of caravan.
 
  
    
van2
  
  n.
 
(
the van)
  
- the foremost part of a group of people, especially the foremost division of an advancing military force.
- the forefront of developments or ideas.
Etymology
  C17: abbrev. of vanguard.
 
  
    
van3
  
  n.
  - archaic a winnowing fan.
- archaic or literary a bird's wing.
Etymology
  ME: dial. var. of fan1, prob. reinforced by OFr. van or L. vannus.