caravanserai

 
Pronunciation: /ˌkarəˈvansərʌɪ, -ri/
(US also caravansary)

noun (plural caravanserais or caravansaries)

  • 1 historical an inn with a central courtyard for travellers in the desert regions of Asia or North Africa.
  • 2a group of people travelling together; a caravan.

Origin:

late 16th century: from Persian kārwānsarāy, from kārwān 'caravan' + sarāy 'palace'