What is "contignation"

Contignation \Con`tig*na"tion\, n. [L. contignatio, fr. contignare to join with beams; con- + tignum beam.]

1. The act or process of framing together, or uniting, as beams in a fabric.
   --Burke.

2. A framework or fabric, as of beams.
   --Sir H. Wotton.

n. 1 The act or process of frame together, or unite, as beams in a fabric. 2 A framework or fabric, as of beams.