Caravel
Caravel (kar"ȧ*vel) , noun
[French caravelle (compare Italian caravella, Sp. carabela), from Sp. caraba a kind of vessel, from Latin carabus a kind of light boat, from Greek ka`rabos a kind of light ship, NGr. kara`bi ship, vessel.]
(Nautical) A name given to several kinds of vessels.
(a)
(Nautical) 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)
(Nautical) A Portuguese vessel of 100 or 150 tons burden.
(c)
(Nautical) A small fishing boat used on the French coast.
(d)
(Nautical) A Turkish man-of-war.