CARAVEL

Etymology

Noun

caravel (plural caravels)

(nautical, historical) A light, usually lateen-rigged sailing ship used by the Portuguese and Spanish for about 300 years from the 15th century, first for trade and later for voyages of exploration.

Synonym: carvel (one sense)

Anagrams

• acerval

Source: Wiktionary

Car"a*vel, n. Etym: [F. caravelle (cf. It. caravella, Sp. carabela), fr. Sp. caraba a kind of vessel, fr. L. carabus a kind of light boat, fr. Gr. [written also caravel and caravelle.] (Naut.)

Definition: A name given to several kinds of vessels. (a) The caravel of the 16th century was a small vessel with broad bows, high, narrow poop, four masts, and lateen sails. Columbus commanded three caravels on his great voyage. (b) A Portuguese vessel of 100 or 150 tons burden. (c) A small fishing boat used on the French coast. (d) A Turkish man-of-war.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition