/kar"euh vel'/ , n.
a small Spanish or Portuguese sailing vessel of the Middle Ages and later, usually lateen-rigged on two or three masts.
Also, carvel .
[ 1520-30; car ( a ) velle
caravela, equiv. to cárav ( o ) kind of ship ( carabus a small wicker boat kárabos skiff, crayfish) + -ela dim. suffix ]