cairn n Cp NID ~ n 'landmark for explorers.' A marker, usu a pile of rocks prominently placed as a guide in coastal navigation, sometimes becoming a place-name; AMERICAN MAN, NAKED MAN.
   1888 HOWLEY MS Reminiscences 48 But the highest and most rugged looking land was towards the seacoast near the head of Bay de Lievre... After taking all the bearings I required, and erecting a cairn on the summit with a flag staff set in the centre and a piece of birch bark for a flag we left a record of our visit and then descended to our canoe. 1909 BROWNE 264 These caims, of which there are several along the coast [of Labrador], are called by fishermen, "'Merican men." These cairns serve as landmarks for the fishing schooners. 1951 Nfld & Lab Pilot i, 107 Cairn head, on the opposite shore, is situated half a mile south-westward of Broad Cove point. 1953 ibid ii, 85 Butter Pot, 991 feet high, on the summit of which is a cairn, stands about 3 miles southward of the eastern entrance point.

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