noun a water-tight structure (as a large box or boxes) used to assist a vessel in passing over a shoal or bar or in navigating shallow water. by admitting water, the camel or camels may be sunk and attached beneath or at the sides of a vessel, and when the water is pumped out the vessel is lifted.
2. camel ·noun a large ruminant used in asia and africa for carrying burdens and for riding. the camel is remarkable for its ability to go a long time without drinking. its hoofs are small, and situated at the extremities of the toes, and the weight of the animal rests on the callous. the dromedary (camelus dromedarius) has one bunch on the back, while the bactrian camel (c. bactrianus) has two. the llama, alpaca, and vicu-a, of south america, belong to a related genus (auchenia).