caravel

UK: /ˈkærəˌvɛl/ US: (kar′ə vel′)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

car•a•vel  (kar′ə vel′), n. 

1. Nautical, Naval Terms a small Spanish or Portuguese sailing vessel of the Middle Ages and later, usually lateen-rigged on two or three masts.

Also, carvel. 

• Greek kárabos skiff, crayfish) + -ela diminutive suffix
• Late Latin carabus a small wicker boat
• Portuguese caravela, equivalent. to cárav(o) kind of ship (
• Middle French car(a)velle
• 1520–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

caravel / ˈkærəˌvɛl/, carvel noun

1. a two- or three-masted sailing ship, esp one with a broad beam, high poop deck, and lateen rig that was used by the Spanish and Portuguese in the 15th and 16th centuries

Etymology: 16th Century: from Portuguese caravela, diminutive of caravo ship, ultimately from Greek karabos crab, horned beetle