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bivouac (BIV-oo-ak, BIV-wak) - n., a temporary camp, usually made without shelter. v., to camp in bivouac.
Sometimes specifically a temporary or semi-temporary military encampment in tents rather than more permanent structures. I know it more in the backpacking sense. Adopted around 1700 from, as you might guess from the spelling, French, which had the military sense plus an overnight watch of the whole army (against ambush, for ex), from Swiss German Beiwacht/Biiwacht, supplementary night watch, from bei-/bii-, beside + wacht, watch.
---L.
Sometimes specifically a temporary or semi-temporary military encampment in tents rather than more permanent structures. I know it more in the backpacking sense. Adopted around 1700 from, as you might guess from the spelling, French, which had the military sense plus an overnight watch of the whole army (against ambush, for ex), from Swiss German Beiwacht/Biiwacht, supplementary night watch, from bei-/bii-, beside + wacht, watch.
---L.
