camel \cam"el\ ka^m"e^l, n. oe. camel, chamel, of. camel,
   chamel, f. chameau l. camelus, fr. gr. ka`mhlos; of semitic
   origin; cf. heb. g=am=al, ar. jamal. cf. as. camel, fr.
   l. camelus.
   1. zool. a large ruminant used in asia and africa for
      carrying burdens and for riding. the camel is remarkable
      for its ability to go a long time without drinking. its
      hoofs are small, and situated at the extremities of the
      toes, and the weight of the animal rests on the callous.
      the dromedary camelus dromedarius has one hump on the
      back, while the bactrian camel camelus bactrianus has
      two. the llama, alpaca, and vicu~na, of south america,
      belong to a related genus auchenia.
      1913 webster

   2. naut. a water-tight structure as a large box or boxes
      used to assist a vessel in passing over a shoal or bar or
      in navigating shallow water. by admitting water, the camel
      or camels may be sunk and attached beneath or at the sides
      of a vessel, and when the water is pumped out the vessel
      is lifted.
      1913 webster

   camel bird zool., the ostrich.

   camel locust zool., the mantis.

   camel's thorn bot., a low, leguminous shrub alhagi
      maurorum of the arabian desert, from which exudes a
      sweetish gum, which is one of the substances called manna.
      1913 webster
see also:
camelus dromedarius camelus bactrianus auchenia camel bird camel locust camel's thorn 
alhagi maurorum