GIG, an onomatopoeic word for any light whirling object; e.g., a top, or a revolving lure made of feathers for snaring birds; but now chiefly used of a light two-wheeled cart or carriage for one horse; of a narrow, light, ship's boat for oars or sails; and of a clinker-built rowing-boat used on the Thames. A "gig" in min ing, is a wooden chamber or box divided in the centre and used to draw up and lower down miners in a pit or shaft, and the "gig mill" or "gigging machine," is a textile machine which raises the nap on cloth by means of teazels. A "gig" or "fish-gig" (properly "fiz-gig," possibly an adaptation of Span. fisga, harpoon) is an instrument for spearing fish.