Caravel
Pronunciation : Car"a*vel
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [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 : Defn: 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