bivouac
bivouac definition
biv·ouac (biv′wak′, -o̵̅o̅ ak′)
noun
- Archaic a night guard to avoid surprise attack
- a temporary encampment (esp. of soldiers) in the open, with only tents or improvised shelter
Etymology: Fr < Ger dial. (Swiss) biwacht, night guard < OHG bi-, by, with + wahta, watchman < wahhen, watch, wake
intransitive verb bivouacked -·acked′, bivouacking -·ack′·ing
to encamp in the open
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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