Van (?), n. [Abbrev. fr. vanguard.] The front of an army; the first line or leading column; also, the front line or foremost division of a fleet, either in sailing or in battle.
[1913 Webster]

Standards and gonfalons, twixt van and rear,
Stream in the air. Milton.
[1913 Webster]

Van, v. t. (Mining) To wash or cleanse, as a small portion of ore, on a shovel. Raymond.
[1913 Webster]

Van, n. [L. vannus a van, or fan for winnowing grain: cf. F. van. Cf. Fan, Van a wing Winnow.]
[1913 Webster]

1. A fan or other contrivance, as a sieve, for winnowing grain.
[1913 Webster]

2. [OF. vanne, F. vanneau beam feather (cf. It. vanno a wing) fr. L. vannus. See Etymology above.] A wing with which the air is beaten. [Archaic] “[/Angels] on their plumy vans received him. ” Milton.
[1913 Webster]

He wheeled in air, and stretched his vans in vain;
His vans no longer could his flight sustain. Dryden.
[1913 Webster]