Large desert animals with humps that can store fat and water, known for their ability to travel long distances without food or drink.
From Arabic 'jamal' through Hebrew and Greek, the word entered English through Latin 'camelus.' The animal itself became known to Europeans through Middle Eastern trade and exploration.
Camels can drink up to 40 gallons of water at once and store it for weeks—their humps don't actually store water like a tank, but rather fat that converts to energy and water as needed. This is why desert traders called them 'ships of the desert.'
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