A young camel or hybrid offspring of a camel and donkey, particularly in Middle Eastern and North African contexts.
From Arabic 'jamal' (camel) with various phonetic adaptations as the word traveled into English and European languages. The specific reference to young or hybrid camels reflects usage in regions where such animals are common.
Gemul hybrids were prized in ancient trade caravans because they inherited the camel's endurance with the donkey's sure-footedness on rocky terrain, making them perfectly adapted for Silk Road routes through treacherous mountain passes.
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