caravelles
/ˈkɛrəˌvɛlz/
noun
- Plural of caravel: small, fast sailing ships from the 15th and 16th centuries, used especially by the Portuguese and Spanish for long voyages of exploration.
- The museum displayed models of the caravelles used by early explorers.
- The fleet included three caravelles that could travel long distances.
- Caravelles were prized for their speed and maneuverability.