embarkation (iou)

embarkation noun. Also embarcation, imbarkation. M17.
[from EMBARK verb1 + -ATION. In sense 2 from French embarcation from Spanish embarcacion.]
The action or process of embarking. M17.
attrib.: R. Kipling Every one was new to embarkation-duty.
A ship, a boat. L17-L19.
A body of troops on board ship. E-M18.
Comb.: embarkation leave: taken by a member of the armed forces prior to being sent abroad.