/ ˈbɪvuæk; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
a temporary camp or shelter, without using a tent, that is made and used especially by people climbing mountains or by soldiers
■ verb
( -ck- ) [ v ] to spend the night in a bivouac
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WORD ORIGIN
early 18th cent. (denoting a night watch by the whole army): from French , probably from Swiss German Bîwacht additional guard at night, apparently denoting a citizens' patrol supporting the ordinary town watch.