bivouac

[ biv-oo-ak, biv-wak ]
/ ˈbɪv uˌæk, ˈbɪv wæk /

noun

a military encampment made with tents or improvised shelters, usually without shelter or protection from enemy fire.
the place used for such an encampment.

verb (used without object), biv·ou·acked, biv·ou·ack·ing.

to rest or assemble in such an area; encamp.

Origin of bivouac

1700–10; < French < Swiss German bīwacht auxiliary patrol, equivalent to bī- by- + wacht patrol, watch

Words nearby bivouac

Example sentences from the Web for bivouac

British Dictionary definitions for bivouac

bivouac
/ (ˈbɪvʊˌæk, ˈbɪvwæk) /

noun

a temporary encampment with few facilities, as used by soldiers, mountaineers, etc

verb -acs, -acking or -acked

(intr) to make such an encampment

Word Origin for bivouac

C18: from French bivuac, probably from Swiss German Beiwacht, literally: by + watch