The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A framework or fabric, as of beams. --Sir H. Wotton.
      [1913 Webster]