 Caravels were used by the Portuguese and Castilians for the oceanic exploration voyages during the 15th and 16th centuries in the Age of Discovery.Its English name derives from the Portuguese "caravela", which in turn may derive from the Arabic "qārib", used to refer to an ancient boat type known as "carabus" in Latin or in Greek, perhaps indicating some continuity of its carvel build through the ages.Until the 15th century, Europeans were limited to coastal navigation.