bivouac Definition

bivouac
noun

1. A temporary camp or camping place without tents, especially one used by soldiers and mountaineers.
2. The making of such a camp, or camping out in one.

verb, intr bivouacked, bivouacking

1. To camp out temporarily at night without a tent.
2. To make such a camp.

Etymology: 18c, originally meaning a night watch by a whole army: French, probably from Swiss German Beiwacht an additional guard at night.