Did you know that 'caravan' is actually Persian?

'Caravan' is a word borrowed from Persian 'kārwān'. The word entered the English language some time around 1588.

caravan [noun] [1588]

• a company of travelers on a journey through desert or hostile regions
• a train of pack animals
• a group of vehicles traveling together (as in a file)
• a covered wagon or motor vehicle equipped as traveling living quarters

See 'caravan' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Persian.

Etymology: Italian 'caravana' from Persian 'kārvān'

See more loan words from 1500s.