bivouac Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
    encampment; camp; cantonment.
    • wherever he went in the camp the men were grumbling
  2. noun a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent
    encampment; camping site; campsite; camping area; camping ground; campground.
  3. verb live in or as if in a tent
    camp; encamp; camp out; tent.
    • Can we go camping again this summer?
    • The circus tented near the town
    • The houseguests had to camp in the living room

WordNet

Biv"ouac noun
Etymology
F. bivouac, bivac, prab. fr. G. beiwache, or beiwacht; bei by, near + wachen to watch, wache watch, guard. See By, and Watch.
Definitions
  1. (Mil.) (a) The watch of a whole army by night, when in danger of surprise or attack. (b) An encampment for the night without tents or covering.
Biv"ouac intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Bivouacked (); present participle & verbal noun Bivouacking
Definitions
  1. (Mil.) (a) To watch at night or be on guard, as a whole army. (b) To encamp for the night without tents or covering.

Webster 1913